Ryan graduated from Pepperdine University in 2015 and moved back home to SCV. When he started to attend his home church again, he met Issa and thought she was the most gorgeous human he had ever seen. That same year happened to be when Issa was taking “a year off dating.” Ryan and Issa would both give two different perspectives on the beginning of their relationship. Ryan would tell you that those were the slowest months of his life. He did everything he could to get to know Issa better (including buying himself a Disneyland pass). He watched her display God’s true love at church, understanding more and more how much of a golden treasure she was as he was forced to wait and wait. If you ask Issa, she would tell you that she didn’t even realize he liked her at all. She thought of him as a nice friend of her friends. He was really cute and fun and always so nice to her, but she wasn’t looking for a relationship. In fact, one time Ryan took Issa’s best friend (Rachel) to lunch and Issa thought he was interested in Rachel! She told Rachel “He’s cute! I think you should go for him!” Little did she know, the lunch was so that Ryan could ask Rachel about dating Issa. Ryan patiently waited until the very end of 2015 when Issa was finished with her “year off dating” to ask her out. In the last week of the year, he asked if she would go on a date with him at the start of 2016. Issa was surprised that he was interested but really excited and said YES!

They went on two dates before making it official and the first year of dating was pure bliss! Somewhere early on they started calling each other “Sweet Babe” and it really stuck! After about a year, Ryan left to start dental school in Chicago. These two had a long distance relationship for 4 years! Although they were nervous at first, and long distance wasn’t ideal, it actually ended up being some of the greatest years. They got to really work on good communication and being intentional and creative with FaceTime dates. Ryan popped the question on December 21 2019! He set up the most romantic lights in his backyard and when Issa walked outside, she was shocked! He played guitar and sang a song that he wrote for her. It was a dream! She said YES and the rest is history! Both Sweet Babes have finished school and started their dream careers. They have been patient and intentional and faithful to each other. They are ready for forever, and cannot wait to celebrate with all of you at the wedding!! #HappilyEverArima