Finally!

Ryan and Tamara’s story began in 2016 when they shadowed Saint Thomas Aquinas High School as 8th graders, trying to determine if it was the right fit. However, in their hearts, the story started much earlier—when their families both happened to live in San Antonio at the same time, long before they knew each other. They now believe that meeting was always part of God’s plan, even back when they were toddlers in the children’s room at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. On the day of their shadowing visit, Ryan was with his sister Clara in her biology class, while Tamara nervously introduced herself to the class from across the room. Ryan immediately noticed her, thinking she seemed confident and poised. In reality, Tamara was secretly trying her best to make a good first impression. Though Tamara doesn’t remember meeting Ryan in biology, fate had a funny way of bringing them together. Later that day, Tamara switched to shadow a different student, and they were officially introduced in choir class. Ryan was shy during their first interaction, but that would soon change. Their friendship blossomed throughout high school, and by sophomore year, Ryan invited Tamara to homecoming. It was then that she realized he might have seen her as more than just a friend. Still, Tamara happily accepted the invitation to attend with her best friend. On the night of homecoming, Ryan’s gentlemanly gesture—offering Tamara his jacket while they waited outside—and a shared moment over a game of 2v2 foosball made Tamara realize they made a perfect team. Their bond grew stronger, and not long after, inspired by a proposal from his now-brother-in-law Christian, Ryan invited Tamara to a school play and dinner at Old Chicago—the same restaurant where Ryan’s sister Abby and Christian had their first date. Ryan hoped it might bring them a little luck, and it seems it did! They both later attended Kansas State University, where their connection continued (and continues!) to deepen. On July 27, 2024, Ryan proposed to Tamara in the same spot where they had first expressed their love for each other. Over the past six and a half years, their love has grown every day, and they feel incredibly blessed that their paths crossed in such a remarkable way. “Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!”