Catherine and I met for the first time on the quad at JMU the week before classes started. I was getting off of work and walking by a Cru event that was going on and I got to talking with all the newcomers. Catherine caught my eye, and after the first time talking to one another, I remember being excited for the second. A few weeks went by with more frequent conversations and I knew that there was something special and unique about her. Turns out she beat me to the punch and asked if I wanted to hangout sometime. We did... and I only got about halfway through our very first date before blurting out that we should have a second. Luckily, she agreed. More than two years have passed since we've met, and I have come to see how loving and graceful Catherine truly is. Joy and wisdom are her possession everyday. It's safe to say that I was in for more than I could've hoped for when picking her up on that first date. - Ryan

I had been guessing for weeks when Ryan would propose, knowing he had been looking at rings and that we had talked with our families about the idea. Toward the end of winter break, I was beginning to think that maybe it wouldn't be before we went back to school. In fact, Ryan had asked me to stop guessing and just let things happen. So, I tried to do exactly that. Sunday morning, January 9th rolls around, and it was a regular Sunday morning that Ryan was at my home church with my family and me. Except, that we were supposed to go on a picnic with one of my good friends and her husband at Maymont Park. After the service, Ryan and I stopped by Walmart to grab some sparkling waters for the picnic (and I also grabbed a bag of pretzels to snack on in the car because I was STARVING and knew cheese and crackers wouldn't do it). All the way in the car I was shoveling pretzels in my mouth, worried that we were going to be late. We finally got to the park, and I was on a mission to get where we needed to go, meanwhile, Ryan was just strolling, telling me to enjoy the moment. Finally, we got to the dome in the Italian gardens, and I asked impatiently, "where are they?" to which Ryan responds, "Catherine, look at all of the pictures of us." I turned to my left and there were string lights, flowers, and pictures displaying a timeline of our relationship. Ryan went through each of the pictures, describing how each one led us to that day. Ryan then bent down, grabbed his bible, and read me a set of verses about the way he intends to love me for the rest of our lives and that which he hopes would be a deeply rooted theme throughout our marriage. Then he closed his bible and got down on one knee. That moment was one of the most special moments for us and I couldn't have imagined feeling any more loved or cherished by him. The rest of the day felt like a dream with all the surprises he had planned. I could relive that day over and over again. Every day being engaged to Ryan is sweeter knowing I get to marry the most wonderful man I've ever known. - Catherine