Laura and Ryder first met in middle school, where fate (and the alphabet) paired them as math partners—Laura in 7th grade and Ryder in 8th, thanks to their shared “S” last names. They stayed friends through the years, but it wasn’t until a few years after high school that they reconnected on social media. Sparks flew instantly, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. After a few months of dating—starting with a movie night watching Superman—Ryder officially asked Laura to be his girlfriend on February 7th, 2018, at their favorite dessert spot, Just Peachy Frozen Yogurt.

After 6.5 wonderful years together, Ryder proposed to Laura on May 4th, 2024—and she excitedly said YES! Wanting to update their photo album, Laura had planned a casual mini photoshoot for the two of them, since it had been years since their last one. She shared the idea with Ryder, not knowing he was already planning something much bigger. With help from his family and a little behind-the-scenes coordination with the photographer, Ryder turned Laura’s simple photoshoot into a surprise proposal. The moment was beautifully captured in both photos and video, making it even more magical as their spontaneous engagement shoot came to life.

Laura and Ryder's relationship kicked off nearly eight years ago in their hometown of Mount Vernon. Since then, their love has grown stronger through countless adventures, laughter-filled road trips, music festivals, and cozy nights at home. They’ve shared a home together for the past five years, most recently settling down in Arlington—a place that’s become the heart of their journey together. Ryder has been a dedicated barber for the past two years and is now taking the exciting leap of taking over a lease right in the heart of Arlington. Laura works in corporate finance and holds an MBA, bringing her drive and brilliance into everything she does. Her resilience is nothing short of inspiring—she’s a proud osteosarcoma survivor, cancer-free for over a decade. Their home wouldn’t be complete without their beloved black cats, Ozzy and Sally, who are two years old and rule the house with sass and snuggles. Together, Laura and Ryder have built a life full of love, laughter, and the occasional cat fur tumbleweed. They're so excited to celebrate the next chapter of their lives with the people who mean the most.