Ryan and Rachael’s story began in 2023 at the University of Mary. Rachael was in occupational therapy school, and Ryan was in physical therapy school when they were first placed into a collaborative PT/OT/SLP “baby lab” group. Together they evaluated a baby’s developmental milestones and reflexes. At the time, nothing really developed – although, looking back, Rachael and Ryan have both admitted they were interested in each other right away. Ryan remembers thinking Rachael was beautiful, but definitely out of his league (and probably already taken). Rachael, on the other hand, assumed Ryan was a football jock who likely had plenty of other girls’ attention. Fast forward to 2024 when they found themselves placed, once again, into the only PT/OT collaborative research group. Coincidence? They don’t think so. God was at work! This time their work focused on PT/OT collaborative interventions for individuals with chronic pain. Alongside additional PT and OT students, they spent months collaborating mostly through Teams meetings and GroupMe messages. Even with limited time face-to-face, a friendship slowly began to grow. Ryan loved Rachael's kindness, while Rachael remembers noticing how funny Ryan was. Then came January 2025, when their group began meeting at the Bismarck Library to provide intervention sessions for individuals with chronic pain for their research project. This is where everything started to change. As they spent more time together, their connection deepened. Ryan learned (thanks to one of Rachael’s classmates) that Rachael was, in fact, single – and that her OT friends were actively trying to set her up on dates (AHH!). Meanwhile, Rachael found herself even more drawn to Ryan’s goofy and easy-going personality. Rachael remembers coming home after one intervention session and telling her roommates how funny the PT guy in her group was. Ryan spent weeks trying to work up the courage to ask Rachael out on a date. Then one evening, after an intervention session at the library, Ryan walked Rachael to her car. Gathering his courage, he asked her on a date, adding, “I’d love to be considered as one of the options.” Rachael happily said yes and nervously said he could message her on GroupMe (a detail they still laugh about). That night, Ryan drove home thanking God and asking for His guidance in whatever was to come of their relationship. Rachael called her sister on the drive home, excitedly recounting every detail, then did the same with her roommates. Ryan took Rachael to Saturday night mass on their first date, which beautifully represented how they both wanted to keep God at the center of their relationship from the very beginning. The next seven months were filled with laughter, growth, and whole lot of FaceTime. Between Ryan’s clinical rotations in NV and WY, and Rachael’s in MN, they learned how to navigate long distance early on. Through it all, they made it a priority to pray together every night, which strengthened both their relationship and their faith. Then came August 2025. With the help of Rachael’s best friends and roommates, Ryan planned the perfect surprise. Rachael’s roommates suggested they do a photoshoot by the river before Rachael left for her MN clinical (a very normal girl request, so Rachael thought nothing of it). Then suddenly everyone who could take the pictures became unavailable, and only Ryan was left (smart girls). With a nice camera, a photoshoot happening, and the boyfriend taking the pictures, they knew Rachael would naturally request a few couple photos (which she did). And while taking those photos in front of the serene and beautiful Missouri River, Ryan got down on one knee and asked Rachael to marry him. After a few “are you actually serious?” and “WHAT?!” comments, she nodded yes. What began as a simple grad school research project turned into something so great, neither of them could have expected it. It is easy to see that God perfectly guided them to each other.