Ryan and Tomas had known of each other since their early days at Villanova, running in the same circles but never really connecting. Then, during senior year, Ryan decided she had a crush on Tomas and went right up to him at Kelly’s Taproom to tell him he should take her to his fraternity formal. He agreed that it was a fabulous idea, and the two of them went to the Atlantic City formal together with all of their friends. After graduation, they kept in touch here and there with the occasional text or Snapchat, but ultimately were busy working their first corporate jobs and trying to figure out post-grad life. A few years later, both living in New York City, Tomas sent a very strategic “happy birthday” text to Ryan. That one message turned into plans for a drink, originally supposed to be at The Dead Rabbit in FiDi, which was packed, so they ended up at the stunning and romantic, Ulysses Pub on Stone Street instead. They were both a little nervous, but they left knowing there was something there. Over the next several months, they went on lots of dates like comedy shows, Knicks games, paint-and-pour nights, yet for nearly seven months, neither would admit they were actually dating. Eventually, at a party, a friend introduced Ryan as “Tomas’s non-girlfriend,” which prompted the talk. From that moment on, they were officially together. The proposal came a few years later on a sunny July afternoon. Ryan and Tomas spent the day by the pool — Ryan trying to convince Tomas to race, and Tomas trying to convince Ryan to relax. They had “dinner plans” with friends later that night, which Ryan secretly hoped was a fake-out for a proposal. And, in true fashion, she was right. Dinner was a decoy, and after getting ready, Tomas got down on one knee and asked Ryan to marry him. Now, they’re planning their wedding and can’t wait to celebrate this next chapter with all the people they love most!