We met like all great relationships do...on the dating apps! Thanksgiving Day 2018 we connected while Alissa was in Australia. Our first date was a few days after Alissa got back. We met at Carrie Nation Cocktail Club in Boston. Some could say Alissa fell for Ryan that night, she was so swept off her feet that she fell off her chair and landed face first in his lap!

Despite the initial slip up, the rest of the night was filled with hours of conversation, drinks and a goodbye kiss before Ryan left the next day for Brazil. Ryan saw something special in Alissa as he immediately called up Verizon the next day to add on an international plan in order to stay connected while in Brazil. That was the beginning of what eventually became a budding relationship and love for each other.

We moved in together at the start of COVID in April 2020 and survived! We even added a furry friend (Ms. Dakota) that year as we became our own little family. Our engagement happened in September 2021 on a weekend trip to one of our favorite New England towns to visit, Portsmouth, NH. Getting engaged at one of our favorite wineries, Squamscott Vineyards and Winery made for the perfect day, weekend and start to our lifelong love.

Fast forward, we can't wait for all our family members and friends who have loved and encouraged us over the years to join us on the 21st night of September (cue the Earth, Wind & Fire classic!) in Stonington, CT, as we start our journey of love and commitment to each other.