It all started with a swipe! On November 11, 2020, Alex and Ryan matched on a dating app. She was in Portland, he was in Boston — and their first date was delayed thanks to a Covid outbreak at Ryan’s “frat” house. A month later, on December 11, they finally met. Alex made Ryan meet her at the restaurant (just in case he was a serial killer), but after a great night, she decided he was safe enough to drive her home. No kiss that night… or the next date. But on December 19, after spending the day with Ryan and a big group of his friends, Alex felt at home — and decided she would make the first move. Just a few days later, Alex found out she’d been exposed to Covid and couldn’t spend Christmas with her family. Because Ryan had recently had Covid, he could spend Christmas Eve and Day with her — His mom, Stephanie, even sent food so Alex could have a home cooked meal for Christmas! They shared their first New Year’s kiss to ring in 2021, and on January 16, while watching Terminator 2, Ryan officially asked Alex to be his girlfriend. The next couple of years were full of new jobs, multiple moves, and some long distance — but also lots of laughter, love, and growing together. By March 2022, they found their dream Portland apartment (with water views and room for Alex’s cat, Vinny) and moved in together. On their two-year anniversary in January 2023, Alex submitted her final capstone and officially completed her Master’s Degree! Just a few days later, they brought home Daisy June, a 12-pound black lab puppy who instantly became the center of their world. 2023 was a beautiful year — full of friends, family, puppy snuggles, and starting their next chapter together. On February 1, 2024, Alex and Ryan bought their first home — an 1800s farmhouse in Windham, ME (Ryan’s hometown), right near his parents. The summer that followed was packed with house projects, travel, and even buying a new car (RIP to Ryan’s 2012 Chevy Impala). And then came the biggest surprise… On August 3, 2024, during a beautiful day on Peaks Island, Ryan got down on one knee and asked Alex to marry him. After a moment of shock (captured on camera), she said yes! A surprise dinner with family followed — and back at the house, even more friends and loved ones were waiting to celebrate. It was the perfect day, and the start of forever.