On a quiet Sunday, July 28th, 2024, Anna’s mom happened to see Ryland while visiting Dave and family. The moment she saw him, she had a feeling — she thought Anna would think he was handsome and might be interested in getting to know him. Later that day, after Anna’s mom had left, Ryland was shown a photo of Anna. The moment he saw her, he was immediately intrigued. You could say something sparked right then. The next step? Instagram. Anna waited until Tuesday to follow him — she didn’t want to look too eager. That same day, he followed her back and later sent her a message pretending he didn’t know how to pronounce her mom’s Portuguese name… accidentally writing it as “gracias.” It was sweet, a little awkward, and the perfect beginning. They talked on Instagram for three days before deciding to meet in person on August 1st. When they finally saw each other, both were so shy that conversation barely happened. It was adorably awkward. But after she left, Anna texted him and gave him her number — because she definitely liked what she saw. From there, everything began to grow. On September 8th, after a date, as they were saying their goodbyes, Ryland told Anna he loved her for the first time. She was surprised — but her heart already felt the same way. Then on November 10th, he planned the sweetest girlfriend proposal. He brought flowers, a candy ring (because Anna once told him that in Brazil couples exchange rings when they start dating), and a tiny stuffed dog she later named Justin. It was thoughtful, meaningful, and perfectly them. They continued building memories — traveling to Yellowstone with friends, celebrating their anniversary in Zion, going on countless dates, laughing endlessly, and growing closer every day. On March 22, 2026, Ryland knew it was finally time to begin the next chapter of their story. With the help of his mom and siblings, he carefully planned a meaningful and beautiful proposal at Rocky Mouth Canyon Trail—the very first hike he and Anna ever went on together. The spot was transformed into something truly special. Flowers decorated the area near the bridge, and heart-shaped balloons added a soft, romantic touch to the canyon scenery. Everything about it felt intentional, personal, and full of love. Since December 2025, Ryland had been learning Portuguese—Anna’s first language—so he could speak from the heart in a way that would mean the most to her. Every word of the proposal carried effort, love, and deep devotion. In that unforgettable moment, surrounded by nature and memories of where their journey began, Anna said yes to a lifetime of love with her now fiancé, Ryland. It was a beautiful day they will never forget.