It was end of the Summer 2015. Ela had recently moved to Jackson after graduating , and Ryan had moved from Pennsylvania to establish his company New Thought Media with his business partner in Jackson. Ryan and Ela met through mutual friends during a local event called Palates & Palates and they liked each other immediately; little did they know that Ela's sister Nida was already devising a plan to make their match happen. Ryan was working at the Western Design Conference, a yearly event for local businesses and designers to present their recent creations. Ela was attending this event; she was chosen to model some local designer’s jewelry along with her sister and some friends. That day was Ela's birthday, her sister Nida had plan a fun night for her. That night, Ela and Ryan run into each other and mingled during the event. Nida's sister invited Ryan to Ela's birthday celebrations. Not sure if Ela was under the influence of the four tequila shots that her sister made her drink but she felt that she had known Ryan for years . To top the night, Ryan invited Ela to dance were she got the first glimpse into the incredible person he is. Ryan messaged Ela that night and asked her out the following week.On that Wednesday night of September 16 Ryan showed up at Ela’s house with a bouquet of flowers looking hotter than ever. That evening was perfect! Looking back at that date Ela knows that was the night she started falling in love with her future husband. Ryan looks back and knows it was worth the wait and more!

It was a hot summer weekend. Ela and her sister had discussed to go to the String Lake and paddle board with their brother Helios and their significant others. That weekend Dionis’s sister and her family joined them but not Ela’s brother. The plan was to have a weekend of fun outdoor activities for the family. While the rest of the family was having a picnic Ela decided to go paddle boarding by herself. While she was paddle boarding a beautiful butterfly was flying around her board along with a duck nearby swimming with her ducklings. Ela immediately got carried away thinking of her mother and how much she misses her and how much she wishes she was there with her. While meditating and being secluded from the surroundings she though of the time that Ryan and her mother spoke on Skype and how much she approved of Ryan. While expressing her gratitude to God for the opportunity she had to introduce the man she loves to her mother, Ela didn’t notice that Ryan was paddle boarding behind her. When he arrived he asked Ela to join her paddle board with his, and just like that in the middle of the lake oveviewing the Tetons he proposed. Ela was caught by surprise along with her family that was waiting at the shore. Ryan not only surprised Ela and her family but also his family. The only other person who knew about the proposal was Ela’s father. Ryan had asked her hand while visiting her hometown that April. After the proposal Ryan called his parents Mariellen and Jeff to deliver the news.