Stacey Rackham & Ryan Fox
Things To Do
The Rust Belt Market
🛍 The Rust Belt Market – A Little Magic in Ferndale In a world of click-and-buy, The Rust Belt Market is a breath of fresh, creative air. Located at the heart of Ferndale (Nine Mile & Woodward), this cozy artisan marketplace is home to over thirty independent shops, each packed with handmade goods, vintage finds, and local charm. It’s the kind of place where you lose track of time browsing unique treasures, sipping a craft cocktail from the in-house bar, or catching a tune from Ferndale Radio 100.7 FM, which calls Rust Belt home. Whether you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind souvenir, a weekend adventure, or just a little inspiration, this is the spot to explore!
Belle Isle
🌿 Belle Isle Park – A Little Escape in the City Belle Isle Park is a 985-acre island oasis in the Detroit River, offering stunning views of Detroit to the north and Canada to the south. With its historic charm and natural beauty, it’s a true gem in the city—and a very special place for Stacey, who has spent many hours here reflecting, recharging, and soaking in the peaceful surroundings. This is where we’ll be exchanging private vows in July! 💛 The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, with its lush greenery and dreamy glass dome, will be the setting for our “I choose you.” Beyond the conservatory, Belle Isle is full of places to explore, including: 🐠 Belle Isle Aquarium – The oldest aquarium in the country, filled with unique sea life. 🚗 Heads up! Park entry requires a State Recreation Passport ($14 at entry if you don’t already have one). If you have time while you’re here, take a little wander around the island—we think you’ll see why it’s such a meaningful place to us. 💛
Cold Truth
🍦 Cold Truth Ice Cream 🍦 A must-visit while you’re in Detroit! Cold Truth is known for its handcrafted, plant-based soft serve with creative flavors and toppings. But for us, it’s more than just a great ice cream spot—it’s where our story began. On our first date after meeting on Bumble, we met up here on an August afternoon. Stacey, in a moment of excitement that the cute guy looked cuter than his photos in real life, completely forgot how to order ice cream. Meanwhile, Ryan—ever thoughtful—saved the last of his to share… while Stacey happily finished hers with zero intention of returning the favor. Little did Ryan know, this was only the beginning. From that day forward, he would forever have to share—whether he was trying to make a good impression or not. So if you visit, savor every bite, maybe offer a spoonful to your date (or don’t—we support all choices), and know that this little shop is part of our love story. 💛
Atomic Coffee
☕ Atomic Coffee – Where Our Worlds Almost Collided Before we officially met, Ryan and Stacey were unknowingly orbiting around each other for years—both drawn to the same city streets, the same cozy corners, and, of course, the same great coffee. Ryan has spent countless hours at Atomic Coffee in Royal Oak, tucked away with a book and a perfectly brewed Americano. Meanwhile, just blocks away, Stacey was running Mint Hair Crafting, often stopping into Atomic for interviews, work sessions, and a Lavender Latte. Though we didn’t cross paths here, it’s one of those places that makes us wonder how many times we unknowingly shared the same space—both caught up in our own worlds but hopeful to meet someday. If you’re looking for a great spot to relax with a latte, flip through a book, or soak in the energy of the city, Atomic Coffee is the perfect stop. Who knows—maybe you’ll meet someone special over a cappuccino too. 💛
Detroit Shipping Company
📦 Detroit Shipping Co. – The Comedy Show That Never Happened For our third date, we planned to see a comedy show at Detroit Shipping Co., a vibrant food hall and event space built from repurposed shipping containers. But as it turns out, the only entertainment we needed was each other—we got so lost in conversation that we completely missed the show. Stacey, thinking surely we’d grab food together, didn’t eat before the date. Ryan, however, had already eaten. So while Stacey enjoyed a meal, Ryan sat across from her, completely unbothered, as they kept talking, laughing, and realizing just how easy it was to be around one another. Even after leaving, neither of us wanted the night to end. We wandered to the community lawn near Imperial in Ferndale, sinking into Adirondack chairs, still deep in conversation, stretching the night into something unforgettable.
Linden Park
🌧️ “Tornado Night” at Liden Park 🌮 One summer evening, we met at Liden Park for takeout tacos from Imperial, expecting an easy, low-key date. The weather seemed fine—at least, according to Ryan, who confidently assured Stacey that nothing looked bad on the Doppler. Minutes later, the sky darkened, the wind picked up, and the rain came down in sheets. Running for cover wasn’t much help—we were already completely soaked. But instead of calling it a night, we made our way to a nearby parking garage, where we kept talking for hours as the storm raged outside. At some point, the rain stopped, but neither of us noticed right away. It just felt like one of those nights you don’t want to end. Since then, we’ve called it Tornado Night—the kind of chaotic, unplanned moment that somehow became one of our favorites.
Townhouse
🍽️ Townhouse Detroit – A Little Magic in the Unexpected After an evening immersed in art at the Van Gogh exhibit, we wandered over to Townhouse Detroit, hoping to end the night with a great bite to eat and a little more time together. When we arrived, we realized the restaurant was closed for a private event—but, in a small-world moment, the host happened to be someone Stacey knew, and they found us a spot at the bar. We sipped our drinks, shared an appetizer, and the conversation flowed. At some point, Stacey got completely lost looking for the bathroom, disappearing into the lobby with doors that all looked the same. Eventually, she found her way back, although Ryan DID notice that she was gone for an abnormal amount of time. The evening was like a scene from a romcom and Townhouse holds a special place for us.