here's to forever

Ryan and Kylie grew up just a couple of towns apart. They shared mutual friends, enjoyed some of the same places, and even cheered for the same teams, yet they never met. Out of the blue, Ryan messaged Kylie and asked her on a date.... but it wasn't that simple. Kylie told Ryan that in order to take her on a date, he had to read a book that was very instrumental for her called Sacred Search. Ryan immediately ordered the book and began reading. Finally, on April 30, 2021, Ryan made the long haul to Springfield, Missouri where him and Kylie met face to face. Ryan surprised Kylie with a weekend full of adventures and everlasting memories. Little did they know that weekend that their lives would change forever!

On a beautiful and rare 70 degree day in December, Ryan and his sister Kathryn picked up Kylie to go hiking at their favorite local place, Onondaga Cave State Park. They began hiking down a path that was new to Kylie. As they approached a beautiful pond at the bottom of a hill, Ryan and Kylie's song, Until I Found You, began playing. There in the distance, both of their immediate families were standing there together. Kylie turned around to see Ryan down on one knee. He began to share about his passion and love for Kylie. He then expressed his desire to grow and create a future with his best friend. He popped the question, and with absolute confidence, Kylie said yes! The two of them celebrated alongside their families with lots of hugs, smiles, happy tears, and crab legs!