Ryan was encouraged by a friend to join a dating website, and I had just graduated from college, ready to start a new chapter in life. We matched right away and quickly realized how easy it was to talk to each other. After a couple weeks of chatting and laughing over messages, we decided to meet in person for our first date at Burgatory in McCandless Crossing. I remember how nervous I was walking in, hoping everything would feel as natural as it did online. Ryan ordered a hamburger, and I, playing it safe, went with a salad but not without teasing him about the sheer number of toppings on his burger! We spent hours talking, laughing, and getting to know each other, and as the night ended, I realized I didn’t want it to be the last time I saw him. That first date was the beginning of something neither of us could have imagined. Over the past six years, we’ve grown together, supporting each other through life’s ups and downs. From late-night talks to spontaneous adventures, we’ve built a foundation of love, laughter, and unwavering partnership. Now, as we prepare to start this next chapter as husband and wife, we couldn’t be more excited to spend forever together, creating memories and continuing to write our love story.

One of our first places we took a spontaneous weekend trip was Annapolis, a charming town filled with history, amazing food, and our go-to ice cream spot. Over the years, it became a favorite spot for us to make memories together. On one particularly exciting trip, we planned to bring Ryan’s sister and my sister along to show them all the places we love. After enjoying a delicious meal at Boatyard Bar & Grill (known for their award-winning crab cakes) we decided to take a stroll near the Harbor and the bridge. The late summer evening was perfect, with the soft glow of the sunset reflecting on the waters off of the Chesapeake Bay, making it the ideal backdrop for a romantic walk. As we wandered along, Ryan seemed unusually quiet but intent on finding just the right moment. Finally, as we stood taking in the beautiful view, he turned to me, his eyes full of love, and asked the question I had dreamed of hearing. Overwhelmed with emotion and joy, I said yes without hesitation, my heart bursting with happiness as Ryan slipped the ring onto my finger. Just then, the sisters, who had been in on the plan the whole time, rushed over with excitement, cheering and congratulating us. It was a moment full of love, laughter, and happy tears, marking the start of the next chapter of our journey together.