When Ryan and Allie met in 2021, it wasn’t your typical meet cute. Instead, their first impression of one another started with “Is my microphone working?” It was a fitting start for a first meeting over Zoom. Allie was interviewing Ryan as a potential new member looking to join the NC State chapter of the co-ed honor fraternity Phi Sigma Pi. She dazzled Ryan with her odd icebreaker questions in an attempt to make this required meeting less awkward. They bonded over their shared hatred of the cost of printer ink and paying to park at a school you go to. Eventually they met in person at an after-party following one of Phi Sigma Pi’s many virtual events. The semi-formal was decade themed, where participants were given the challenge of dressing up as musicians from a specific decade. Ryan showed up as Bruce Springsteen from the Born in the U.S.A album cover while Allie went all out for her early 2000s Justin Timberlake look, complete with a blonde noodle-hair wig, full denim outfit, and drawn-on facial hair. Her 5 o’clock shadow remained present for the rest of the evening. Allie’s bubbling personality filled the party with jokes, stories, and laughter, which left a lasting impression on Ryan. To Allie, Ryan seemed shy at first, and maybe a little uninterested based on the uncomfortable side hug he gave her. However, it was clear to her that there was a silly, kind-hearted person underneath the quiet exterior. She just needed the opportunity to crack that shell open. They began spending more time together and texting every day. Finally, Allie got tired of dropping what she thought were very clear hints that she had a crush on Ryan and had to clarify that their next hangout was to be "not as friends". That set their first date in motion at Frankie’s Fun Park, where they played arcade games and mini golf. Years later, mini golf is still one of their favorite activities. Ryan came prepared with 18 custom challenges, one for each hole, to make the date a one-of-a-kind experience. At the end of the date, despite taking the victory, Ryan gave Allie the 3D printed mini golf trophy keychain he had made, forgetting that he was supposed to let Allie win. They were so caught up in the moment that no photos were taken on their date, but Ryan still remembers every detail: the carefully planned challenges, the corny joke that got a pity laugh on the first hole, and how beautiful Allie looked with her hair and makeup done for the occasion.

After many more dates, Ryan and Allie made their relationship official after a date to the drive-in movie theater. Their relationship grew quickly, and with Allie living at home at the time, Ryan got to meet her family less than two weeks after they started dating. Since then, they’ve taken many trips together, including Disney World, New York City, and Mexico. However, they both agree that their first trip together to Aruba was their favorite, spending maybe a little too much time soaking up the island sun, relaxing and making memories. They have now lived together for almost three years, first in an apartment in Brier Creek and now their first house in Fuquay-Varina. Like every relationship, theirs has faced challenges. The biggest came when Allie was in school and working while living at home, and Ryan had graduated and was working full-time. Balancing two different jobs with different schedules and responsibilities required patience, love, and understanding with one another. They also balance different communication styles and conflict resolution skills. Allie is proud to call herself a “certified yapper” and Ryan is, as they like to say, the complete opposite. Learning to navigate these has strengthened their connection. The couple shares many interests and passions including trips to the beach, mini golf, traveling, spa nights, board games, and watching RuPaul’s Drag Race. Together they also run a growing 3D printing venture where Allie has named herself Creative Director. Ryan loves Allie’s radiant smile and her ability to light up any room that she walks into. Allie loves Ryan’s calm and level-headed nature when life feels overwhelming. They cherish each other’s quirks, from Allie’s love for Disney to Ryan’s passion for all things nerdy, from superhero movies to building computers and reciting math concepts on command. Whether it’s Ryan introducing Allie to Formula 1 and soccer or sharing his love of LEGO, there is always something new to explore together.

Ryan had been planning the proposal for months, recording behind-the-scenes videos for Allie to watch later, documenting the ideas behind the proposal and where he kept the ring hidden from her. After four years together, Ryan proposed to Allie on June 14, 2025, at the pier in Emerald Isle, North Carolina. This location held special meaning, as it was tied to one of their earliest memories together that they each recount very differently. Ryan recalls asking Allie to go on a walk with him on the beach. They walked from the beach house where they were staying with friends down to the pier, with Allie walking behind him the whole way despite his best attempts to let her catch up. This led him to believe there was no way this girl actually liked him, so they didn’t say a word to each other the entire time. Allie, on the other hand, remembers Ryan speed-walking far ahead, leaving her to catch up and wondering if he wasn’t interested. Returning to the pier for the engagement became a symbolic way of showing how far they had come. This time, they walked side by side, and Ryan knew exactly what he wanted to say. After the proposal, the immediate reaction from the crowd forming on and around the pier despite the overcast weather was cheers and applause. Allie burst out into a huge smile followed by many tears as Ryan beamed with joy. Ryan had been so focused on Allie that he hadn’t realized that he had opened the ring box upside down. Thankfully, the ring stayed in place. He definitely did not realize the number of people that had gathered watching them and the photographer he had hired circling around them to capture the moment. Though Allie had not expected a public proposal, having total strangers share in their love and happiness in such a special moment is something they will never forget.

To Ryan, marriage is about the commitment to his best friend Allie to always be her partner and lover no matter what challenges and adventures life brings. It’s about enjoying the good times together and having each other's backs while battling through the tough times. To Allie, marriage is about certainty. Choosing every day to spend your life with someone and trusting that they will be there for you and with you through the good, the bad, and the ugly. It's giving a piece of yourself to someone and being able to guarantee that they will never stop loving you as you are. Through all phases of life, learning and growing together into the best versions of themselves. Together, they look forward to building a life filled with growth, love, and shared experiences. Allie plans to return to school to pursue her Master’s degree and continue her career in healthcare as a lactation consultant and doula. Ryan, already having his Master’s degree, plans to continue working in the automation engineering field. They both share a love for travel, mostly to Disney World for Allie, and are excited to continue travelling and exploring the beauty this world has to offer. At home, their dog-hter, Korra, keeps life entertaining as they try to keep her from eating anything in sight and being a menace to herself and others. Through it all, Ryan promises to remain Allie’s steady, dependable support, while Allie promises to continue being Ryan’s greatest source of joy and encouragement. They are excited for all that the future holds — not as friends.