We're Getting Married!

Ryan lived in Spring Hill, TN and Sam lived in Wappingers Falls, NY. They had been friends on Facebook for years, with the usual "Happy Birthday" messages once a year. One of Ryan's best friends Chelsea just so happens to be Sam's cousin, which is how the connection was made. On January 7, 2017 Ryan messaged Sam to say "Hey there!" to catch up after having last seen each other at Chelsea's wedding the September prior. They got to talking, FaceTiming, and some cute awkward flirting. Before long Sam had a road trip planned to see Ryan that March. On March 9, 2017, sitting in Ryan's pickup truck he asked Sam if it was okay he start introducing her as his girlfriend. Of course she said "Yes!" 5 months long distance wasn't their favorite thing to endure. Sam was about to enter Nursing school and wasn't going to be able to move. August of 2017, Ryan decided to move to NY and see where this wonderful relationship was headed.

Ryan and Sam were visiting Tennessee for Christmas that year. One of Sam's favorite places to visit is the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. She was so excited they were able to coordinate with Ryan's family and Sam's cousin Chelsea and her husband Brad to all take a trip over that night. It was POURING rain, and because of the holidays the hotel was packed with tourists. Everyone got soaked walking to the hotel from the parking lot. Sam was surprised everyone was still willing to go because of the weather. They walked the hotel, looking at all the gardens and braving the crowds of people. It was just about time to leave when someone suggested taking some family pictures by the giant Christmas tree. Everyone went up on the balcony, took some photos and then asked to take a photo of Ryan and Sam. To Sam's surprise, Ryan turned to her, got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. Through tears of joy Sam whacked him in the arm (she thought he was joking) and said "Yes, of course!" Ryan had called his mom prior to their trip down and asked her if she had a ring he could use to propose because he couldn't wait any longer to ask. She had a beautiful ring in mind and was all ready for him when they arrived. It was the best surprise any girl could ask for!

Postponing our wedding was one of the hardest decisions to make, especially after counting down the days for over a year and building up so much anticipation and excitement. Even though we were heartbroken to have to wait another year to celebrate with all our family and friends, we knew the most important thing to do was to keep everyone safe during such uncertain times. Together, Ryan and I decided we couldn't wait another year to be husband and wife so we decided to go ahead and get married on the date we originally chose and have our dream wedding when times are safer. On May 30, 2020 we got married in Ryan's parents backyard surrounded by our immediate family. It was a sweet, simple and safe ceremony and we are so excited to be married! We wish more than anything everyone could have been there but we will be having a full ceremony at our wedding in June of 2021! We saved all the traditional big moments so we can share them with everyone we love. We can't wait until next year, there will be so much to celebrate! We couldn't let COVID slow down our love story!