We met at Brioni’s Cafe in Clarkston, Michigan. Ryan was so nervous for the date that he arrived nearly an hour early to prepare the seating and have something to talk about. Stupidly, he thought trying to use Amanda’s literary skills would be a great date idea and brought his undergraduate research paper for a peer review. Amanda was changing out of her fast food clothes frantically to get there just in time. She didn’t need to worry about finding him because he simply stood up out his chair and exclaimed, “Amanda!”
Ryan proposed at Grand Haven Beach on the shore of Lake Michigan, where they had continued Amanda’s yearly family tradition of spending summers in the small town. They had just gotten Morning Star Cafe and were heading to the beach. After 3 hours at the beach, Ryan overheard someone talking about a photoshoot behind them and it turns out the photographer was coincidentally there the entire day. Around 8 pm, Ryan asked Amanda to go get frozen yogurt and take some pictures on the beach. Amanda was getting hangry and wanted to make these photos quick. Ryan managed to get her to look toward the lighthouse for a “photo” and it was then that he got down on one knee. #BendTheKnee