We’re getting married!!!!!

A winter blizzard had just rolled over Baltimore blanketing the city in wet heavy snow. This wasn't novel scenery to the Buckeye native though the below-freezing temperatures caused him to shiver. The Silver State native surveyed the landscape with wonder and horror as the chill penetrated her three layers of clothing. They had left their homes far behind to participate in a federal residential program that partnered teams of volunteers with non-profits in order to complete community projects. Ignorant of the presence of each other, a young man and woman eagerly sought shelter in the former Catholic dormitories that would be their shared home for 4 weeks before starting their first project together. Two weeks later, Ryan was holding a fragment of a larger puzzle. His task was to find the other individuals whose fragments formed a complete image. Quickly, he located a small group who had already begun to assemble the image lacking his piece. A flurry of introductions ensued marking the official meeting of Shayla Johnson and Ryan Ziegler. Neither could have imagined that for the next three years they would be nearly inseparable as Ryla. That day they discovered they shared a team, a desire to do good, an eclectic taste in music, a wanderlust to travel and obsession with movies. These interests would spawn their infamous movie list where they would trade movie recommendations and marathon films after a full workday. They would stay up to the early morning sharing thoughts on the world, love, Disney, music, and what they wanted to do after AmeriCorps. Living and working together in Boston, Vermont, Delaware, Baton Rouge, and Baltimore educating children, conducting disaster relief operations, and other labors may have been strange circumstances under which to exist but it was a perfect crucible to forge a lasting and loving bond. After returning to Ohio, Ryan saved and made the move to be with Shayla in beautiful Las Vegas where they are happily engaged to be married.

Feb. 16, 2019: It was a lazy Saturday morning that Shayla woke up to much like any other day she wondered when Ryan would finally ask her to be his wife. They had discussed at length how they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. Ryan was taking his time to put a ring on it, she thought. This morning would be very different. The first indication was a multi-color bouquet of flowers Ryan gave her when she got her sleepy self out of bed. Ryan suggested they should go out to do something a little romantic that would compensate for the quiet evening of the 14. Down to the Venetian did they go, Ryan knew that the gondola rides had captured Shayla's fascination. The day was a bit overcast but they choose to ride outside in the fresh air. They carefully boarded the gondola and were whisked away to Venice. The gondolier serenaded the couple in English and Italian but too quickly the fantasy was over. Just in time as the rain came down and the couple choose to indulge in a favorite pastime. Ryan took Shayla to see What Men Want at the luxurious Eclipse Theater. After having a good laugh, Ryan announced that he had made dinner reservations at Mon Ami Gabi. That dinner was a full celebration. Ryan and Shayla ordered fine champagne, scrumptious appetizers, savory steaks, and sweet desserts. Shayla had grown increasingly suspicious because this seemed beyond a simple date night. The champagne helped to nudge her along as she demanded an answer, "where's the ring, Ryan"?! "There's no ring, enjoy the meal," was a poorly disguised lie but it bought Ryan time to compose himself before the question. As Shayla finished dessert Ryan sprang into action and on bended knee asked "Shayla Elizabeth Johnson will you marry me"? "Yes", like lighting, Shayla seized the ring and put it on before Ryan had a chance to take it out of the box. Shayla rethinking her initial response offered it back, "It's more special if you put it on". Ryan was all too happy to oblige.