While Leah was in PhD school, she was conducting a miniature experiment about the types of men in Iowa vs. Cincinnati who were on dating apps. While she was visiting her parents over the holiday break in 2022, she started her data collection and... enter Ryan! Ryan messaged Leah, thus starting the novel-length text messaging back and forth. We met up soon after to eat Indian food and when we got home that evening, we both immediately deleted the dating app, knowing that what we had found was once-in-a-lifetime special. We did long distance for the first 1.5 years of our relationship, but were able to do many fun trips together during this time. In 2024 we moved to Maryland (DC area) for some awesome jobs we are both loving and have created a cozy and intentional life together! Ryan proposed to Leah on April 16, 2025 at the spot of their very first park-date (Big Bone Lick State Park) and we can't wait for our lives to join in marriage! We are so excited to celebrate our love with the people we care most about!