we're getting married

Like so many modern love stories, ours began with a swipe right. After a few days of texting and getting to know each other on the dating app Hinge, we decided to meet up for our first date in downtown Fort Pierce on March 31, 2023. The night couldn’t have gone better—it was full of laughter, good conversation, and even ended with our very first kiss. But then… a plot twist. Much to Ryan’s surprise (and honestly Kayla’s too), Kayla ghosted Ryan a few days after. Two weeks later, Ryan’s phone lit up with a call from “Do Not Text Her.” On the other end was Kayla saying, “Hey there, I miss your voice.” And just like that, the story wasn’t over. We started spending time together again, and something just felt different. Kayla’s heart was still a little guarded, but she found herself continually drawn to Ryan. To her family, Ryan was still affectionately called “Math Guy,” but to Kayla, he was becoming so much more. During a family trip to St. Petersburg Beach, Ryan decided it was time for an upgrade. In typical Ryan fashion, in front of a romantic sunset, Ryan asked Kayla to be his girlfriend. Kayla’s hesitant but hopeful response—“We can try”—was the start of something beautiful. “Trying” quickly turned into love, and that love grew into building a life together filled with laughter, adventures, and countless little moments that made it clear we had found something special. In April 2024, we took the next step and moved in together with our sweet pup, Gus, officially beginning our first home as a family. From cozy nights in, to spontaneous day dates, to simply navigating everyday life side by side, we’ve loved every chapter so far. Together, through life’s ups and downs—the heartbreak of losing Gus to cancer and the joy of welcoming Birdie into our family—we’ve built a love that endures. On July 21, 2025, in Dandridge, Tennessee, Kayla was led to her favorite lake spot by her father for what she thought was a “family photo shoot.” There, in a place filled with cherished memories and surrounded by the people she loves most, Ryan asked Kayla to spend forever with him—and she said yes! The rest, as they say, is history in the making—and we can’t wait to keep writing our love story side by side while celebrating this next chapter with all of you! Cheers! xoxo