We got married! Now let's party!

One of Nena's longest friends takes all the credit for setting these two up. She reached out to Nena in the Fall of 2019 and told her all about this guy she knew named Ryan and said how he was the exact same kind-of-funny that she was and they had to meet. One thing led to another and Ryan asked Nena to meet at the Mad Hannah for a drink in Portland, OR where the two exchanged jokes, laughter, and answered all the awkward first date questions one does. The rest was truly history. Ryan and Nena continued to go on a string of dates after their first meeting which included Dumpling Week which was quite the adventure navigating different neighborhoods and restaurants throughout Portland with two goals in mind, find the best dumpling, and strengthen the existing infatuation for one another. The two became inseparable, hanging out every chance they had between Nena's school and work schedule and Ryan's job working night shift. Nena quickly learned the meaning of "if they wanted to, they would" since Ryan would show up to any event or plan they had, completely unfazed by the lack of sleep from night shift, with a smile on his face, best attitude, and his best foot forward. Ryan knew Nena was the one after getting stuck in his Chevy Astro van while camping in Hood River and Nena managed to keep calm and make the most out of a seemingly stressful situation until the following day when a tow truck took 2 hours to arrive. Through the years Ryan and Nena have weathered Covid-19, the aftermath, rented their first home together, loved and lost their soul dogs together, made personal growth as individuals, and most recently purchased a home and got married! Through all of the curveballs life has thrown our way, one thing has been certain, our love!