We initially connected through online dating, but due to one of us forgetting to respond (neither will admit it) it took a few weeks for us to talk outside of the internet. As soon as we exchanged numbers, we were talking all day everyday despite Ryan being in Disney World at the time and having a 3-hour time difference; we often joke that we both knew this was it even before we had met in person. While we were both impatient to meet, we look back on that time as being a big part of what made our bond so strong and helped our relationship blossom because we were able to connect on such a deep level, truly getting to know each other. Less than 24 hours after his return from Florida we went on our first date that ended up lasting almost 36 hours, a week later our kids met and clicked almost faster than we did. By the time our first anniversary rolled around we had moved in together, bought a car and a house together, and shortly after developed a small zoo of animals including 2 dogs, 2 cats, 3 rabbits, and a bearded dragon. With a shared love of Disney and travel in general, we have been on so many fun and exciting adventures over the past few years and experienced a lot of firsts together including Ryan taking me to Tahoe for my first time. Little did we know that it would end up being the place we would say "I do".

We always knew marriage was on the horizon for us but we both had other life plans and obstacles we wanted to tackle before taking that leap. Sometime in late 2024, Ryan informed me that he had purchased my engagement ring so naturally I immediately started guessing when would he ask. The trip to Seattle to see my Dad? Nope, but he did ask my Dad's permission! Trip to NOLA for our good friends wedding? Another nope! So, then I thought it HAD to be the cruise we were taking the kids on as a Christmas gift over winter break. If you know me, you know I am a neurotic planner and packer when it comes time to travel, especially when I have to coordinate three kids as well. At some point I figured out where the ring was hidden, no I didn't peak, but when I was packing for the cruise I did check at the last minute to see if he slipped it in a bag. Sadly, it was still there so we took off on our cruise with me wondering when it would happen yet again. Our cruise set sail on New Year's Eve, it was a marathon of a day between exploring the ship, checking out the festivities, keeping up with the kids excitement, and maybe a few cocktails. By the time we needed to head to the big countdown party, I was beyond ready for bed but determined to at least get my midnight kiss. After all the excitement settled, we decided to take a walk around to wind down and Ryan led us to the back of the ship into a little secluded area looking out onto the waves from the ship. He then whispers into my ear, "How would you like to start 2025 as my fiance?" This is about the moment when I went into utter shock, he drops to one knee, I'm looking around like this can't be happening as a nearby mom with her family is already in tears for me, and he finally asks the question I had been waiting so long for. Obviously, I said yes, or you wouldn't be on this website reading this story. Afterward, he unveiled his secrets as to how he managed to not only smuggle my engagement ring on board but he also purchased a Disney ring box ornament to use for the proposal and create a keepsake of the moment; which simultaneously added some Disney magic to the night. Through various sneaky switches of the boxes between his backpack, somewhere in the closet in our cabin (I even unpacked us and didn't find it!), and making sure I didn't get too close that night while it was in his pocket, he pulled off the absolute best surprise ever.