Ray was born and raised in Ashland, Wisconsin on his family farm alongside his two brothers and three sisters. He joined the Army in 2011, where he worked his way up to becoming an Army Ranger. He completed two tours to Afghanistan and after three years serving his country, he came home to finish his schooling. While working on his degree in business and administration, he met Allie, a girl from Minnesota who moved to Ashland to study environmental science at Northland College. The two clicked from the first night that they met–Veterans Day of 2016. What started as a bonfire on the shores of Lake Superior ended up turning into a full, behind the scenes tour of Ashland and Ray's farm. Allie, being a nature and animal lover, was thrilled to meet the cows, kittens, goats and chickens. Neither of them knew it at the time, but this simple night marked the beginning where two very different paths suddenly became one.

Exactly 364 days after their first date, Ray took Allie to see her favorite country singer for their one-year anniversary. Allie was ecstatic to be going to see Granger Smith in concert for the first time. But this wasn't the only surprise Ray had in store for the night. Prior to the concert, Ray was able to get passes for them both to meet Granger in person! The already huge smile on Allie's face got bigger as the night went on. While listening to all of her favorite songs, Allie couldn't believe her ears when Granger called her up on stage! Unsure of what was happening, she hesitantly walked her cowgirl boots on stage as Granger handed Ray the mic. The spotlights shined down on them as the band softly played the melody of Allie's favorite song. Ray said to the audience, "I've done some stupid things in my life–taken chances I shouldn't have. Three years in special operations and two tours to Afghanistan; but nobody has been able to take my heart–until now." With that, he got down on one knee, showed her the most beautiful ring she's ever seen, and asked Allie to spend the rest of her life with him. Without a drop of hesitation in her body, she nodded her head enthusiastically and said "Yes!" The crowd roared as Ray slipped the ring on her finger, pulled her in close and kissed her! This was just one of the beautiful memories that the couple will make in their life together. It was truly a night that nobody will ever forget. Video Link: https://www.facebook.com/whiskeyriff/videos/1893189560721338/

From Wisconsin to Texas, true love has followed the couple wherever they go. Allie is currently pursuing her Masters of Science in Wildlife at Texas A&M University and Ray is right beside her. He moved across the country supporting her and is currently working for a local insurance company. After Ray gets done with a hard day's work and Allie finishes teaching her students for the day, they both reconvene in the evening in their cozy apartment for a home-cooked dinner and a movie. Allie may decide to get a Ph.D. after her Masters, which would potentially put the couple in different location for another crazy adventure. In the future, they both wish to settle down in the North Woods, somewhere close to home, and raise their family. In the meantime, they both are growing closer together and more in love, while taking things day by day... side by side.