Ryan and I first met on his 20th birthday when he was home from college and we ended up at the same house party. My friend said "there's a guy over there starring a hole through you" and I said " uhg that's the guy Matt wants me to meet". Ryan came over to me and said "It's my birthday" like that meant I was just going to fall into his arms to which I replied "good for you". I swear i'm not a monster I just had other life things going on but ryan as we know is persistent. A month later Ryan and I met again when we ended up at Clinton St. Pub with our mutual friends (what a classy place to meet your future husband I know). Contrary to the first meeting I thought I would give him a chance so I agreed to go out with him this friday. Who knew a date to TGI Fridays and The Wolf of Wallstreet (a true romance film) was the way to my heart. Ryan went on a family trip the next week and when he came home he had a gift for me. It was an elephant made out of coconut with a note in it that said "will you date me yes or yes?" I was 19 at the time and we had only known each other for a week but I guess when you know, you know. Two years later I was moving to Rochester to live with friends and be closer to ryan. They say some people in life will let you down and some will surprise the hell out of you, Ryan surprised the hell out of me. He was a combination of sweet, loving, confident, frugal, and lavish... I was and still am absolutely SMITTEN.