We're Getting Married!

Ryan and Elaine have known each other since the 6th grade! However, they never really spoke until high school graduation. Which is crazy considering they crossed paths in football/poms, homeroom, church/CCD, band, and multiple classes! It wasn't until Ryan's childhood neighbor Lawrence (one of the Groomsmen), who was also one of Elaine's good friends growing up, hosted his high school graduation party did they first speak as they were one of the first to arrive. Elaine, who didn't drive herself to the party, didn't have her phone charger and her phone died. Typical. Ryan overheard her and offered to drive her home and grab it. (Yes! Ryan to the rescue - who knew that was the beginning of that?). They spoke for the first time and became close friends that summer. They remained good friends throughout freshmen and sophomore college year. But sophomore year it was apparent that a romance had sparked! But they didn't start dating until the end of the year so that they could start things off in the same zip code. Buuut - a week later...Elaine got accepted to the Fashion Institute in NYC. This must have been foreshadowing the next 10 years as long distance and jet setting is how they've always operated. Most recently with San Francisco. Chicago is their home base, but they've always gone where the best opportunity takes them, and they are each other's biggest supporters. They will always travel back and forth for each other. Over the last 10 years, each of them individually grew their education and career paths to be the best version of themselves, so that they can build one strong unstoppable empire together.

Ryan and Elaine's friend Andy was visiting them in San Francisco. Elaine had always said that she wanted a good friend to be present at the proposal for picture purposes. They were on their way to a dinner reservation at the Cliff House, which is where Ryan intended to pop the question. Ryan came to meet up with Andy and Elaine by Fisherman's Wharf to pick them up for dinner. It was early and there was time to kill, so Elaine asked Ryan to park his car so they could walk over and look at the sea lions at Pier 39. Ryan being nervous insisted that they get to the restaurant early, but Elaine didn't understand why. They parked, looked at the sea lions, and then walked back to the car. On the way to the restaurant - Elaine sees a sign for Lombard Street - famous for being the most windiest street in the world. She asks to drive through it so they could show Andy, but Ryan explains it would take too long and they really needed to get to the restaurant. He eventually gives in and to their surprise the street that usually has a wait to drive down it...was clear. They drive down and when they got to the bottom - Elaine asks if they could do it again...this time walking it as she's never done that before. Ryan sighs loudly (poor guy!). Agrees and parks the car. They start to walk down Lombard Street the windiest road and take tons of pictures. Elaine sees Ryan hand off his phone to Andy and questions it...and suddenly Ryan gets down on one knee. He explains that things have been crazier than usual with their West Coast move, and their life is always chaotic and has detours, even now just trying to get to this dinner reservation. "Our life is basically always a "windy road" full of detours and we never know what's going to be next. But one thing that has always remained constant is our love for each other."