Ryan and Allie grew up mere miles from each other in the small town of Fennville - Go Hawks! While they had most likely both spent a few beach days playing in the creek at Pier Cove unbeknownst to each other, or rolling down the hill during varsity football games, or been at the Tastee Treat grabbing an ice cream cone with their families - their paths didn't really cross until they were both in highschool.

During the spring of 2012 - when Allie was playing softball and Ryan baseball, they caught each other's eye when their teams would ride the same bus to away games. They exchanged numbers and over the course of that summer Ryan would pick up Allie (who was still 15 and without a driver's license!!) and they would make the quick drive to Kilwins in Saugatuck for ice cream dates.

Finally - on September 20, 2012 Ryan asked Allie to be his girlfriend! Allie wore Ryan's football jersey every Friday during his last two years of high school, they went to school dances together, met and hung out with each other's families, and Allie even talked Ryan into taking an AP class with her!

They navigated the college years together - Ryan moved to Grand Rapids during Allie's senior year of highschool and attended GRCC (who can forget the Sibley house parties LOL). They spent a year together in GR for Allie's freshman year of college at Aquinas, and then Ryan moved back home. Finally during Allie's last two years of school - they shared a quaint little apartment in the Heritage Hill area.

They both settled into their careers - Ryan an electrician and Allie a registered nurse. Looking towards their future, in the spring of 2020 - amid a global pandemic - they bought their first home in Holland! As soon as they had the house secured, Ryan started his plot to get a puppy. One day, after a particularly busy night shift and not enough sleep, Allie looked at her phone and saw the cutest pup's face. She gave in and said yes to that puppy - the only catch was she was located in Charleston, SC!! Allie and Ryan made the trip to SC and enjoyed a long weekend exploring the Charleston area. Finally the big day came, they got to pick up Hazel Ann Nolan! On the way home, they stopped frequently to let Hazel out of the car, and at one particular stop when Ryan was walking Hazel while Allie waited in the car - he motioned for Allie to come over. "Look, Hazel has something on her collar!" Allie, knowing Ryan and how he always liked to trick and prank her - thought it was something gross like a bug. She wouldn't look. "Allie, really look at her collar" Ryan tried again. At last Allie saw the diamond glinting in the sun and turned around to see Ryan on a knee asking her to marry him!!

We are so lucky to have a best friend in each other and cannot wait to get married!!