Riley and Dagan first met in middle school - shoutout to Ms. Beier - where they happened to sit next to each other after state testing. Dagan's quick humor and blunt honesty caught Riley's attention. This spark stuck with her all summer although they weren't in touch. When high school began that next fall, the couple reconnected and communicated casually until Riley asked Dagan to be official on December 14, 2016. The two have been together ever since. Their first official date was to the Florence movie theater to see 'Collateral Beauty' a Will Smith film. Riley texted Dagan ahead of time to ask for a Sprite, too shy at the time to admit her love of diet soda. They sat at the very top corner of the theater where Dagan's seat was completely broken, but he took it like a champ. After the movie, they walked across the street holding hands to the mall, where they walked around with Riley's friends until his mom came to pick him up. Since that day, Riley and Dagan have endured a collection of life's big moments hand in hand: graduations, long-distance, new jobs, family drama, new friends, old friends, and not to mention a global pandemic. Their relationship has endured major milestones and small everyday moments. From their first kiss on the basement couch to living together in Louisville, they've grown up side by side and grown deeper in love on the way. In August 2025, Dagan and Riley finally made a long term dream of traveling abroad happen. Dagan had been hinting for months that he wanted to see the northern lights, which was true, but not his only motive. Their trip to Iceland was full of stunning views, adorable shops, a black sand beach, delicious food, and waterproof clothing. Throughout the week Dagan jokingly teased Riley about proposing, which had her completely convinced he was still in the 'save money for a ring' phase. On August 12, at the stunning Seljalandsfoss waterfall, the couple climbed up behind the falls, even tasting the glacial water. Dagan then led Riley off the path and set up the tripod for posed photos they could screenshot later. But when she turned to face him, he was crying. Neither of them fully remembers the exact words said, and the waterfall noises in the video allow it to stay a mystery forever, but Dagan said something Riley will never forget: "You told me to wait until we were ready...and I think we are." Then he got down on one knee and pulled out a custom ring more beautiful than Riley ever imagined. All she could think about was holding the love of her life in her arms. They kissed, made their way down the hill to a bench, and spent 30 minutes in the rain, crying happy tears together, celebrating the upcoming chapter in their love story. Over the years, plenty of people have doubted their love story. It started in high school, something most people aren't fortunate enough to experience. This couple never doubted they were meant for one another. What they have is resilient, honest, and supportive. Through every season of change, they chose each other over and over again. What outsiders saw as a phase, they knew was a foundation. Their love wasn't just young it was real - and still is. And after 8 years, they can't wait to enter the next chapter of their lives together, marriage.