Karen and Ryan's first date was on January 18, 2018 at Greene Turtle in Karen's hometown of Olney, MD - shout out to boneless wings and fries for making this match made in heaven possible. Skeptical of exactly where this first date would lead and not wanting to get her hopes up, Karen initially had her reservations about Ryan. However, after their first date, Ryan went back to his hometown of Allentown for 10 days, and the entire time Ryan was gone he never let Karen feel that he was uninterested although they were a state a part - he was even willing to FaceTime with her while she was home sick with the flu! Once Ryan came back to this side of the Mason Dixon line, the two were practically inseparable; one date a week quickly became two, which then quickly became three, well, you can see where this is going. Ryan even asked Karen multiple times to be his girlfriend, but Karen turned him down saying it was too soon. Well we all know how that story ends...

After sharing a year and a half of memories and fun, including moving in together, Ryan decided it was time to make things “official." Ryan asked Karen to go hiking at a place Karen had taken him the previous Fall, Great Falls State Park in Virginia. While Karen thought it was kinda strange he wanted to go hiking after working through the night and it being legit hotter than he** out, she figured what the hay - the things we do for love. So, just like any other time they had gone hiking, they started walking along the trail, but Ryan kept making pit stops along the trail overlooking the water saying he wanted to "take in the view" and "keep Karen from getting sweaty" - how thoughtful, we all know why now, but Karen just thought he was being an awkward turtle. About half way during the hike back, Ryan finally pulled Karen aside and popped the question alongside the rapids and falls of the Potomac River. Even though he couldn't exactly get down on one knee without plummeting to his death on the side of the trail, Karen said Yes! on May 26, 2019.