Let’s rewind to 2022, where this love story began. Addi decided to help with VBS at church that summer, not knowing she was about to meet someone who would eventually change her life. During the Wipeout event… where Ryland was supposed to be spraying the little kids with a water gun but somehow his attention somehow kept ending up on Addi instead. He sprayed her first. And then again. Addi tried not to notice him until she realized she was being targeted a little too intentionally. That’s when she finally looked over, saw him, and thought he was really cute. Confused and curious, Addi grabbed her friend Abbey (aka me) and asked, “Who is that?” “That’s Ryland,” I said… followed by the news that he was taken. Addi accepted it and continued on with her day, not knowing God was simply saying, “Not yet.” Fast forward to January 2024. Addi finds herself bored on a Sunday night and texts me to see if she can come along to youth group. What Addi didn’t know that night was that Ryland was no longer taken! After youth, everyone decided to play volleyball. Ryland is there picking teams, and the moment he sees Addi again, he remembers her. Without hesitation, he picks her first. The rest of the night is filled with laughing, talking, and an undeniable connection. That’s when Addi starts to wonder… wait a minute—this is the water-gun boy from VBS two years ago. Later, she asks me again if Ryland is single… and this time, the answer is yes. At the same time, Ryland is asking around about Addi too. And just like that, the matchmaking officially begins. A couple weeks later, Ryland works up the courage to ask Addi for her number. Not long after, Addi, Landis and I were planning to go to the movie… and Ryland, who may or may not have invited himself just so he could be around Addi. Once they sat down, Ryland decided he wanted to watch a different movie with Addi, leaving the two of them alone together. By the time the movie ended, Ryland already knew, he didn’t just like Addi. He wanted to be with her. On February 14th, Ryland became the first guy to ever get Addi flowers. On February 17th, they went on their first official date at Texas Roadhouse. Where Ryland discovered that the only way to Addi’s heart is unlimited rolls at Texas Roadhouse! That night, he asked her to be his girlfriend. Since February 17th, 2024, Ryland has never stopped showing Addi how much he loves her, through surprise flowers, sweet notes left on her car, thoughtful dates, and endless compliments. He has never failed to make her feel deeply loved, and Addi has never failed to show him just how much she supports, appreciates, and loves him in return. After almost two years of dating, Ryland got down on one knee on November 7th, 2025, marking the beginning of their forever. As Addi’s best friend, I, Abbey, have never been happier than getting to watch her fall in love with a man who was clearly all in from the very beginning… even before she knew he was single. If I could go back and tell Addi anything in 2022, it would be that you truly never know what God has planned. -Abbey Letts (Maid of Honor)