MacKenzie and Ryan’s love story begins the way all great modern romances do: on Hinge, in the middle of a global pandemic, during one of the weirdest years in human history. It was 2020, and Covid-era dating was serious—no time for games when the world might end. Their first date took place on Election Day in November (because what’s more romantic than democracy and mild existential dread?). With bars and restaurants briefly reopened, they ventured out for a drink. It was sweet, a little clumsy, and perfectly them. Ryan, ever the gentleman, left after the ideal first date length of two hours—to go to a “party.” (Whether said party actually existed remains unclear.) He kissed MacKenzie goodbye in the parking lot, in a moment that felt charmingly 1950s in the best way. When the world shut down again the following week, a second date out wasn’t in the cards—so MacKenzie went to Ryan’s house. They made homemade chicken teriyaki bowls and shared a bottle of wine. MacKenzie, never one to beat around the bush, asked if she’d hear from him again. Ryan was surprised by the question—and called her on her drive home to make sure she knew he was serious. From there, they were “dating”—as casually as two people can during a global pandemic. In December, Ryan met MacKenzie’s friends Courtney and Charlie on a hike, and nervously confessed that he "like liked" her (the first time MacKenzie witnessed just how much this man nervous-sweats). They held off on making things official until the new year—Ryan was heading home for a few weeks, and MacKenzie had a trip planned too. But on her birthday, Ryan called to say he missed her and wished they were spending the day together. After MacKenzie came home from her New Year’s trip with Covid (romantic, right?), Ryan showed up with her favorite soup. Standing in the street in front of her house, he FaceTimed her to officially ask her to be his girlfriend. It was January 6th, 2021—a day of insurrections both national and romantic. Since then, life’s been a blur of new jobs, apartments, gluten-free cooking experiments (both MacKenzie and Ryan have celiac disease, so yes—their home is 100% gluten-free), and countless shared adventures. They moved in together at the one-year mark and have been happily locked in ever since. Ryan proposed in June 2024 (the second time MacKenzie witnessed a truly impressive amount of nervous sweat), and the two moved to Colorado in August 2025. This is our next chapter—and we couldn’t be more excited to share and celebrate it with all of you!