It all began with one small idea by Rachel Schneider (Doll). Rachel planted the seed one year before Ryan had even asked out Andy (or really knew who she was). Rachel thought that they would make a great couple, but she knew she needed to be patient. Eventually, when the time was right, Rachel told Andy and Ryan of her diabolical plan, and the rest is history. Torrie Gregg also played a role, you’ll have to ask her about it! ;) Ryan got up the courage to ask Andy out at a Catholic Disciples meeting one night, and although it took weeks for them to go on an official date, they finally made it happen! The first couple months of their dating experience were excruciatingly awkward. But, in the end, they slowly realized that they were meant to be! And here we are two years later. :)

After much preparation and planning, Ryan had the ring, permission, the date, and an idea in mind. Despite my thoroughness in each of these areas, Andy found many ways to complicate the situation. Once I had the date planned and our friends lined up to come and celebrate with us, I felt out the situation a few weeks prior by asking Andy what she was doing over the specific weekend. She said she was free, and everything felt like it was coming together! Just a week before the set proposal, Andy informed me that she had picked up a shift at the hospital. It happened to be on the exact day I had been planning to propose. Strike one. After this detour and a few discussions with Andy expressing her desire to get engaged (ironic I know), I had a new date and plan in place to propose on a Saturday. On the Wednesday of this week, Andy told me that she had a bit of a sore throat. We didn't think much of it, but on the Friday before the proposal, she felt worse, decided to not go to work, and got tested for COVID. Meanwhile, I had to call everyone and tell them that the post-proposal party was most likely off. On the Saturday morning of the backup proposal, Andy's results came back positive. Strike two. After all the events Ryan could wait no longer. So the next day he followed through with the plan to take Andy to a park and a specific tree that had significance to their relationship. Under the tree was a bouquet of flowers and letters detailing the many events that lead us to the pursuit of marriage. She said yes! The third time was the charm!!