With the current COVID restrictions still in effect, along with the social distancing guidelines, Matt and I have made the difficult decision to modify our wedding and reception on Saturday, April 17, 2021. We ultimately want nothing more than to have all our loved ones share in our special day, while remaining safe. However, we have come to the realization this is not to happen on April 17th. Since all our guests’ health and wellbeing is of the utmost importance, we have a new plan. Because of these unimaginable COVID circumstances, we will ONLY have the rehearsal dinner guests in attendance at our wedding ceremony and cancel the reception at the KY Derby Museum. This painstaking decision was not a pleasant one, but unfortunately, a necessary one to keep everyone safe. Matt and I have chosen not to postpone our wedding for a fourth time since there is still no timeline to when this pandemic nightmare will end. We would be heartbroken if anyone attending our wedding or reception became ill. Please know Matt and I love you all and will be thinking about each one of you on our wedding day. Lots of Love and Stay Safe, Darryian and Matt

The day before leaving on a weekend girls’ trip to Georgia, Matt and I celebrated the end of my spring semester at the University of Cincinnati. We spent the day at the Cincinnati Zoo, one of our favorite places. Little did I know at the time, how many people were involved in making this day so special. I later learned multiple proposal sites were scouted before the zoo was decided upon and Matt’s father was inconspicuously hiding out in the men’s restroom with the ring and a camera to take pictures of the proposal. Glad no one reported a man with a camera in the men’s bathroom or we might have had a much different ending to our day. Looking back now, I realize the reason Matt was even more quiet than usual was due to nerves. He insisted we first visit the Reptile House then the Red Panda Exhibit; this was after he asked if I wanted to wear something other than yoga pants to the zoo, perhaps a dress? I had my suspicions, of course, but I still wasn’t positive if I was correct, so I kept quiet. Matt was still not talking much and was walking behind me (after going to the restroom to retrieve the ring from his dad). We arrived at the exhibit where the zookeepers were giving an “animal talk.” Matt got down on one knee and said, “I want to make this special. I Love You, Will You Marry Me?” And of course, I said, “Yes!” We spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the zoo and texting our family and friends with our news. I was told we were to have a private dinner for two at Maggiano’s, but upon arriving, we were greeted by our families waiting to celebrate with us. The day was simple. It was us. It was perfect.