Finally!

*Update* COVID may have disrupted many things throughout this wedding process, but during that time it brought us a marriage, a new home, and our beautiful baby girl Charli (you can see some updated pictures in the photos tab on this website). We know it is not traditional, having two weddings, but I think tradition goes out the door during a pandemic. Having a small intimate wedding with just our immediate family and wedding party was something we will never forget, but we couldn't be more excited in FINALLY getting to celebrate our love and life with ALL of our closest family and friends. This will be a full wedding ceremony and reception as there were many things we did not get to do the first time around. Thank you for your patience these last three years and working with us and all the reschedules. Let me tell you, it's been a fun process planning all these different times. Lol!. We love you and look forward to seeing you all soon! *End of Update* Our Story is one that goes back to High School. Ryan went to Prairie Ridge and I went to Cary-Grove, two rival schools in athletics. Being the athletes we are, we met at Spikes Sports Club when we were 15 and 16 years old. Ryan worked on the soccer side of the club coaching kids, while I played club volleyball for Sky high. The first time we saw each other it was instant chemistry. Needless to say I always showed up to practices early and left late as Ryan and I would talk and flirt quite a bit during those times. Fortunately, we hung out only a few times outside of spikes as we both had other things going on in our lives and the timing just wasn't right. Fast forward 16 years and Ryan is living in San Diego and I am still living and teaching back at home. One fateful day, Ryan decided to message me on Facebook out of the blue and we picked right back up where we left off. I had the same feeling I had when I was in HS. We talked for months after that and got to know each other once again. Never thinking I would actually see him because of the long distance, it was crazy when he broke the news that he would be coming back home to Crystal Lake. He had a training he had to attend for work, and would be back for the whole month of April. We spent almost that entire month together, and it just felt right being together. Needless to say it was sad when we had to say goodbye and he had to go back to San Diego. That time we had hanging out together was effortless and very telling of what was to come. Luckily being a teacher, I have summers off and was able to travel to San Diego to visit him. I spent about a month and a half out there and we had a wonderful summer. After the time we spent together out there we knew we wanted to be together. Ryan then made the decision to move back home that August and the rest as they say is history. It's unbelievable how things work out in unexpected ways for the best. Truly thankful for us :)