They met in October 2019 in Lubbock, Texas, thanks to a few mutual friends at Market Street. What was meant to be a quick hello turned into hours of talking (they did not leave until 2 a.m.). From that night on, the hangouts, texts, FaceTimes, and laughter never stopped. Even when Paul Ryan moved to Austin in January 2020, their connection only grew stronger. After months of talking every day, he asked Mackenzie to be his girlfriend on March 7, 2020. And that was the start of their favorite story.

For 5.5 years, their relationship was built across cities, states, and miles - and somehow, the distance only brought them closer. During that time, they lived in six cities, celebrated three graduations, earned four degrees, and started three career paths. They have traveled to 17 different places, collecting memories everywhere they went. Through the road trips, late‑night calls, FaceTimes, and thousands of texts, their best friendship became the foundation of a love that kept growing. Over 2,000 days apart, their relationship did not just last; it became stronger, steadier, and sweeter. And now, after all those miles, they finally get to build their life side by side.

They got engaged in Maui on October 26, 2025, during a sunset photo shoot Paul Ryan secretly planned. One moment they were laughing on the beach, and the next he was dropping to one knee. Mackenzie immediately blacked out from excitement and remembers none of his speech, so it stays their little secret. It was perfect, and everything they had ever dreamed of. After years of traveling together, this trip became the most special one yet. And on that Maui beach, with the sun setting and the waves rolling in, the next chapter of their story officially began.