Ryan and Kyleigh have known each other upwards of 15 years after attending Kindergarten together. They had many mutual friends and often crossed paths at parties and church events growing up. However, it wasn't until they served on a mission trip together in Brazil that something sparked. Ryan and Kyleigh began a friendship in 2020 as freshmen in high school that would last a lifetime. After many months of texts and FaceTime calls, they started dating later that year and have been together ever since--coming on 5 years! Their relationship has been a steady constant for them throughout many formative seasons of their lives including quarantine, the Pates' foster care journey, high school, and long distance for their first year of college. Since Ryan's decision to move home to work full-time and finish his college degree online, he and Kyleigh began discussing the possibility of getting married sooner than originally anticipated. After a season of intentional prayer and seeking wise counsel, they began to plan what the rest of their lives together would look like, and Ryan proposed on February 16, 2025! Ryan and Kyleigh are excited to share this new journey with their friends and family who have shown them nothing but love and support. Most of all, they thank God for the peace and faithfulness he has provided in this season as they begin the rest of their lives together as one, under Him.