Our Love Story
First Date
Like every good 21st century love story, Ryan and Kelly's began with a dating app. Kelly's friend convinced her that she wouldn't get murdered so Kelly reluctantly signed up. Meanwhile, Ryan ...
Like every good 21st century love story, Ryan and Kelly's began with a dating app. Kelly's friend convinced her that she wouldn't get murdered so Kelly reluctantly
signed up. Meanwhile, Ryan was trolling every dating app known to mankind for the girl of his dreams... thus far in vain!
On other first dates, Ryan had merely taken his date out for coffee or a drink. But somehow, Ryan knew this was going to be a very important date, so he took
Kelly to dinner at an upscale Mexican resturant in West Hartford. Luckily, the date was very cheap; Ryan and Kelly were so busy talking and generally hitting it
off that all they managed to order was guacamole!
After their guacamole, Ryan and Kelly went to a bar where Kelly got the early stamp of approval from some of Ryan's friends. Like
a true gentleman, Ryan walked Kelly to her car. Unlike a true gentleman, Ryan may or may not have snuck a brief first-date kiss in the parking garage. The
date went so well that they got together again the following night for board games.
Courtship
Setting the tone for their relationship to come, Ryan and Kelly's courtship revolved around activities. Rock climbing, yoga, board games, camping, soccer, concerts - Kelly and Ryan had the opportunity ...
Setting the tone for their relationship to come, Ryan and Kelly's courtship revolved around activities. Rock climbing, yoga, board games,
camping, wine tasting, soccer, dancing, concerts - Kelly and Ryan had the opportunity to get to know one another in all manner of situations.
For instance, Kelly learned that Ryan has a "unique" (outspoken and controlling) style of play when it comes to board games, which is exacerbated
when he's losing. Kelly also learned that Ryan was interesting beyond belief, forcing her to exercise her mind in ways in which she never would
have done without his provocation, in order to keep pace.
Within a few weeks, Kelly had effectively moved into Ryan's apartment, which, at the
time, was "furnished" with a cardboard box full of balls, mattress on the floor, and a Philadelphia Eagles comforter made to look like a jersey
(think: green and iridescent).
The ultimate test of their budding relationship occurred in the middle of a desert during Burning Man, when Kelly
lived in a yurt with six of Ryan's former frat brothers for a week. After eight days full of sand storms and sleep deprivation, but devoid of
showers and running water, Ryan and Kelly were more in love than when they started. This confirmed for Kelly what she had thought since their
first days of dating -- Ryan was definitely the one.
Engagement
Ryan and Kelly went to Foxwoods, where Kelly thought they would just be meeting a few friends. Instead, Ryan invited a whole slew of their best friends from across the country, and had their families ...
Ryan and Kelly went to Foxwoods, where Kelly thought they would just be meeting a few friends. Instead, Ryan invited a whole slew of their best friends from across the country, and had their families sneak into their suite ahead of time. Their families decorated the room with flowers, balloons, and champagne, and set up multiple camera angles to capture the big moment while the crew hid next door.
When Ryan proposed, Kelly was surprised and overjoyed... or, well, maybe more accurate is "shocked and overwhelmed." Basically, her brain was broken. She couldn't say much more than "oh my god" for the next several minutes. (We had to go to the instant replay booth to confirm that she actually said yes. The call on the field was confirmed.) Soon after the proposal, Kelly's mom led the surprise family entrance, and Kelly was physically incapable of hugging her mom. Noni had to grab her arms and wrap them around her. Upon seeing the decorations, Kelly thought that the previous guests had forgotten their stuff.
Once Kelly's wits returned, a night of eating, drinking and dancing with family and friends sealed a wonderful, memorable day.