It all began during a college fair in our sophomore year of high school. Among the crowd and excitement of the day, Riayn noticed Joel as he stepped onto the van—and in that very moment, she thought to herself, “He’s going to be mine one day.” Though their paths crossed a few more times after that, neither said much to the other - until one day, fate stepped in. Riayn reached out to Joel through her friend's phone, and what was meant to be a simple "get to know you" chat turned into an all-night conversation filled with laughter, curiosity, and a connection that felt effortless. Soon after, Riayn invited Joel to watch her cheer at a football game, and from there, their bond continued to grow. Their first official date came in December 2015—an evening of fun at Sky Zone followed by Chick-fil-A. Just a few weeks later, on December 30, 2015, Joel asked Riayn to be his girlfriend. From that moment on, they’ve been inseparable. Together, they attended prom in May 2016 and supported each other through years of long-distance dating—balancing college, graduate school, and new career adventures. Along the way, they shared countless memories: family gatherings, birthdays, graduations, vacations, concerts, and cheering together at football, basketball, and baseball games. Joel even introduced Riayn to his love for the Pittsburgh Steelers (and eventually won her over as a fan!). He also experienced his first flight and first trip out of the country by her side—proof that their love has always been an adventure. On August 6, 2024, surrounded by family and ocean views on a beautiful cruise, Joel got down on one knee and asked Riayn to marry him. It was a moment years in the making, perfectly capturing the love, laughter, and faith that define their story. With God at the center of their relationship, Riayn and Joel are ready to begin the next chapter of their lives—forever as Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton. They cannot wait to celebrate their special day surrounded by the family and friends who have supported their love from the very beginning.