Every wedding story has 2 points of view. The right one, and the other one. This story is a blend of those two. We first met on St. Patrick’s Day in 2011. Neither of us are Irish, but call it our lucky day. Little did either of us know that we had just met the person we would marry 11 years, 11 months, and 1 day later. Johnny had relocated from Texas to open the newest Madewell store (and find a husband after googling “top cities for gays”). Ryan came to Columbus that day to see a friend and popped into the Madewell where Johnny was working. After a brief encounter, think handshake-handshake-goodbye, Ryan headed back home to Cincinnati. Throughout the day Johnny’s associates would ask, “who was that guy? To what Johnny responded, “oh, that kid? He works at the J.Crew in Cincinnati.” Neither would think about the other for a few months-- In the fall of 2011 work would bring Ryan and Johnny together again. Recently single, Ryan decided that he wanted some attention, and that Johnny was the person he wanted that attention from. Over a brief Taco Bell lunch, in Alice’s car, Ryan said to Alice, “let’s see if Johnny wants to go out tonight. I could use some attention.” Ryan wishes that wasn’t what he said, but it was. That evening Johnny came into the J. Crew where Ryan was working. Ryan said to Johnny, “I hope you come out tonight and don’t’ flake.” (Alice had confirmed that Johnny was indeed down to go out). Johnny said, “I am a man of my word. If I say I am going to do something, I will.” Good to know Ryan thought. That night Ryan and Johnny (and Alice) had their first date. It wasn’t technically supposed to be a date, but it absolutely was. After that night Ryan and Johnny went on many more “ non-date dates” before accepting that they were in fact--dating. Through a series of events, Ryan and Johnny moved to NYC to a palatial 400 square foot apartment after just 6 months of long-distance dating. Flash forward to 2019, back in Columbus, Ryan had decided to propose in NYC on March 29, 2020. But suddenly, everything halted because, well you know. Two years later, Ryan and Johnny planned a trip to NYC to look at engagement rings. Or so Johnny thought. Ryan had been planning to propose to Johnny on 11.7.21 in the city where the two grew together and on Johnny’s favorite day in the city, marathon Sunday. This was a date just shy of their 10-year non-date date anniversary. On that Saturday Johnny said to Ryan, “it has just been the most wonderful weekend.” Little did Johnny know it was about to get a whole lot better the next day. After a series of clever lies Johnny was led to the film scene above. They say when you know, you know. While neither of us knew on 3.17.11, we both know now.