On the afternoon of May 16, 2014, Ryan and some of his classmates went to The Laurels of Athens nursing home to do what they had done for several Fridays throughout the course of the spring semester: volunteer for a couple hours learning the “tricks” of the trade of euchre with residents. The only difference on this Friday, residents weren’t playing euchre; they were playing bingo. The person calling bingo: Carly. After a little gentle nudging from residents, notably Nancy Hawk, and a few emergency euchre lessons from her parents, Friday afternoons that fall saw about as much friendly flirting as trick taking between Carly & Ryan until Ryan finally mustered up the courage to ask Carly out for dinner. What initially began with sushi rolls eventually turned into late nights on Court St. full of hot nuts and fishbowls…and of course, a little Big Mamma’s. Eventually, come Symposium the following spring – the program’s annual alumni celebration – Ryan was officially introducing Carly as his girlfriend. For the next 8+ months, Carly & Ryan did long-distance as Ryan settled into his new role at USF. FaceTime dates watching Suits helped pass the time until finally, that January, a one-way flight originally booked to help celebrate her birthday turned into Carly & Ryan calling Tampa home together. From building dressers to kayaking with manatees to enjoying everything from beaches to strolls on Bayshore Blvd., they took advantage of any and every opportunity that being honorary snowbirds had to offer. In December 2016, career paths brought Carly & Ryan from sunny and 75° to slightly cooler temperatures in Morgantown…and ultimately, closer to hOUme where their love story began. On August 11, 2018, with the help of countless friends and family members, Ryan temporarily shut down traffic on Court St. by asking the love of his life to be his wife. Celebration ensued and by the next morning, they were back to where it all started: sharing the news with Nancy at The Laurels!