RSVP deadline is closed. We cannot wait to celebrate with you!

Ashlynn & Ryan

Saturday, September 14, 2024 • Cincinnati, OH

RSVP deadline is closed. We cannot wait to celebrate with you!

Ashlynn & Ryan

Saturday, September 14, 2024 • Cincinnati, OH

Our Story

Backstory

Ryan and I have known each other for about 15 years. We had many mutual friends as we ran in similar friend circles for years through middle school and high school. We always said hi in passing, or at events with friends. We posted back and forth on each other's Facebook pages with jokes, and for birthdays.


I played softball on a recreational softball team and one of his best friends played on my team. Ryan helped us out by being our team's score keeper. We sure kept him busy. We would hang out as a group after games, but ultimately our circles ran independently for the most part.


Our hang outs and chatting subsided during college, and well after. I left for Arizona in 2018, and we didn't speak for many years. After returning from Arizona, Ryan was one of the first people to reach out and welcome me home. I had pretty much decided I was done with dating, and he was also single at the time. So, we rekindled and caught up with what had gone on all the years in between our lives. We both realized that all the time we had known each other, we enjoyed each other's company, and thought each other were cute, but never spoke it.


Thus, we decided to try out this thing they called life, together.


It had been a lot of years since either of us has felt at ease, and at peace with a partner. Neither of us realized that love could actually be easy; perfect and easy communication, without fighting, without belittlement, without distrust. There was a mutually understood ground that we were both imperfect people, trying to find our space in the world, with another person. We found that; in each other. I am so thankful every day for Ryan.

Living the Dream

Ryan and I celebrate our two-year anniversary, right before we take to the altar together to become a new family.


August 13th 2024. Two years of happiness, laughter, and ease. We are living in a world where we can be ourselves with each other. We support each other through hardships, build each other up, and when it comes to the end of the day, we are there for each other with open arms.

First Date - WEBN Fireworks (left) - between my mom, Ryan and I, we were entering to win free tickets for the fireworks. My mom actually came in clutch, and had won through WEBN's drawing, and gave us the tickets. We met a great couple - Cody and Matt - who said that even though we weren't even an official couple yet "knew we were going to get married". They called it! We love this. First picture of us - St. Thomas Moore Festival (right) - This was after a long day at work, losing my phone, pet sitting, and finally making it to the festival. My mom actually reached out to Ryan asking if he had heard from my because I went absolutely radios silent. We sent this picture to her to let her know I was safe!

June 18, 2022

First Date - WEBN Fireworks (left) - between my mom, Ryan and I, we were entering to win free tickets for the fireworks. My mom actually came in clutch, and had won through WEBN's drawing, and gave us the tickets. We met a great couple - Cody and Matt - who said that even though we weren't even an official couple yet "knew we were going to get married". They called it! We love this. First picture of us - St. Thomas Moore Festival (right) - This was after a long day at work, losing my phone, pet sitting, and finally making it to the festival. My mom actually reached out to Ryan asking if he had heard from my because I went absolutely radios silent. We sent this picture to her to let her know I was safe!
First Thanksgiving Weekend - just Ryan and I. My family was already in TN, his family was going to BA, so we were left to do something together. We spent some time in New Richmond with friends then we headed for the hills in Hocking Hills State Park. We got a cabin and took Cici up there for the weekend. I don't think we left the cabin, and we spent all weekend in and out of the hot tub.

November 24, 2022

First Thanksgiving Weekend - just Ryan and I. My family was already in TN, his family was going to BA, so we were left to do something together. We spent some time in New Richmond with friends then we headed for the hills in Hocking Hills State Park. We got a cabin and took Cici up there for the weekend. I don't think we left the cabin, and we spent all weekend in and out of the hot tub.
Ryan got to meet my parents finally in October of 2022. I was ready to hit the road with Dad for an Iron Maiden concert in Columbus, but he stopped by to meet them. We traveled down to TN for the first Christmas with the Igel Family - Dollywood. None of us had ever been to Dollywood, and the 4 of us had never been on vacation together before. We had so much fun being silly and taking pictures in the Christmas Wonderland that was Dollywood. The weather couldn't have been more perfect, which caused it to be so crowded, but we had the best time.

December 23, 2022

Ryan got to meet my parents finally in October of 2022. I was ready to hit the road with Dad for an Iron Maiden concert in Columbus, but he stopped by to meet them. We traveled down to TN for the first Christmas with the Igel Family - Dollywood. None of us had ever been to Dollywood, and the 4 of us had never been on vacation together before. We had so much fun being silly and taking pictures in the Christmas Wonderland that was Dollywood. The weather couldn't have been more perfect, which caused it to be so crowded, but we had the best time.
For my birthday, I made special plans before Ryan and I started dating to go see my friends back home in Arizona. I will always call Arizona home because that's where my heart is. I asked my friends if they wanted to meet him, and together we went! This was our first big trip together. We did many things, saw the Pheonix Zoo Lights, went to a local bar we would all frequent when I lived out there - Boulder's - and we ordered one of the greatest pizza's known to man, Gus's. They have a glorious 30" pizza, and it's always a hit. My friends loved him and we had an amazing time. WE played Mario Soccer at Connor's house, and that night will go down as one in history for us.

January 09, 2023

For my birthday, I made special plans before Ryan and I started dating to go see my friends back home in Arizona. I will always call Arizona home because that's where my heart is. I asked my friends if they wanted to meet him, and together we went! This was our first big trip together. We did many things, saw the Pheonix Zoo Lights, went to a local bar we would all frequent when I lived out there - Boulder's - and we ordered one of the greatest pizza's known to man, Gus's. They have a glorious 30" pizza, and it's always a hit. My friends loved him and we had an amazing time. WE played Mario Soccer at Connor's house, and that night will go down as one in history for us.
We travelled across state lines again, for a second road trip with the Igel Family. We stopped at the NC TN state line so we could go see some mountain tops in the Cherohala Skyway (the Nantahala Mountain range and Cheroke Mountain ranges meet here), and we also crossed the GA TN state line at the Copper Basin, where we visited McCaysville Drug & Gun (it's a pharmacy that is also a gun shop because #Tennessee). #PistolsOrProzacBabyy

March 06, 2023

We travelled across state lines again, for a second road trip with the Igel Family. We stopped at the NC TN state line so we could go see some mountain tops in the Cherohala Skyway (the Nantahala Mountain range and Cheroke Mountain ranges meet here), and we also crossed the GA TN state line at the Copper Basin, where we visited McCaysville Drug & Gun (it's a pharmacy that is also a gun shop because #Tennessee). #PistolsOrProzacBabyy
We took a road trip, for my first time ever, to go see the horses run at Kenneland. Ryan's parents joined us for the weekend. We went to a steakhouse named Duke's, and I tried octopus for the first time... The sauce made it good, nothing else. I enjoyed many Kenneland Breeze drinks, and Ryan introduced me to the amazing night life in Lexington. WE stopped as many bars, one of them where we got to be Country as F*ck and drink bud lights. We met some glorious girls that also lived in Cincinnati, and I got invited to a Lizzo concert with them. IF Ryan and I had been dating long -- I would have gone with them. However, even missing Lizzo, this has probably gone down in my books as one of the best vacations I've been on with Ryan. Great memories, great pictures, and I constantly harass Ryan about when we're going back.

April 10, 2023

We took a road trip, for my first time ever, to go see the horses run at Kenneland. Ryan's parents joined us for the weekend. We went to a steakhouse named Duke's, and I tried octopus for the first time... The sauce made it good, nothing else. I enjoyed many Kenneland Breeze drinks, and Ryan introduced me to the amazing night life in Lexington. WE stopped as many bars, one of them where we got to be Country as F*ck and drink bud lights. We met some glorious girls that also lived in Cincinnati, and I got invited to a Lizzo concert with them. IF Ryan and I had been dating long -- I would have gone with them. However, even missing Lizzo, this has probably gone down in my books as one of the best vacations I've been on with Ryan. Great memories, great pictures, and I constantly harass Ryan about when we're going back.
Ryan and I like a lot of the same music, and very much have different tastes. However, we really crossed some big names off the bucket list. Goals have been MET! Disturbed (my all-time favorite in the whole world - did NOT disappointment. Highly recommend seeing them live, they're not too heavy, and the singer really plays the crowd), Hollywood Undead (I introduced them to Ryan and he is slowly liking , Alice Cooper (Ryan has seen them like 5 times), Rob Zombie (we've both seen them before), and Breaking Benjamin.

June 05, 2023

Ryan and I like a lot of the same music, and very much have different tastes. However, we really crossed some big names off the bucket list. Goals have been MET! Disturbed (my all-time favorite in the whole world - did NOT disappointment. Highly recommend seeing them live, they're not too heavy, and the singer really plays the crowd), Hollywood Undead (I introduced them to Ryan and he is slowly liking , Alice Cooper (Ryan has seen them like 5 times), Rob Zombie (we've both seen them before), and Breaking Benjamin.
For our one-year anniversary, Ryan took me to a place I had never been before - Walt's Steakhouse. That's really his thing, letting me pick places I've never been before, because apparently, I have never been anywhere.... Anyway, the steak was AMAZING but the bread is really where it's at. It was some rye bread, toasted with butter, and I added extra butter. WE ordered some bread to go... Yeah, it's that good. He also got me the most amazing token for our one year, a purple platinum dipped rose. It is probably one of the most beautiful gifts I have ever gotten. For someone who says he is bad at gifting things, he sure does bring some tears to my eyes with his level of sentiment.

August 13, 2023

For our one-year anniversary, Ryan took me to a place I had never been before - Walt's Steakhouse. That's really his thing, letting me pick places I've never been before, because apparently, I have never been anywhere.... Anyway, the steak was AMAZING but the bread is really where it's at. It was some rye bread, toasted with butter, and I added extra butter. WE ordered some bread to go... Yeah, it's that good. He also got me the most amazing token for our one year, a purple platinum dipped rose. It is probably one of the most beautiful gifts I have ever gotten. For someone who says he is bad at gifting things, he sure does bring some tears to my eyes with his level of sentiment.
There are no words for how amazing our trip to Cancun was. The travel part was easy, aside from a little nervousness finding our shuttle at the airport but travelling was not as bad as everyone says it was. Ask Ryan about getting off the plane though, and how that experience was ;) (unless you're easily grossed out - then DON'T). We got to the resort, and everything was just stunning. Ryan took me to dinner our first night, and we got an amazing sweetheart dinner. This is where we were introduced to the carajillo (a tequila coffee liquor drink), and we've been hooked ever since. The best part of this was how the dinner went down. I started to feel done though, and after a long day of travelling I was ready to go back to the room. Ryan kept ordering more drinks and talking to the manager at the restaurant. By this point, I'm confused, and maybe wondering if I was supposed to have an engagement ring in my cake or something... I did not know he was going to propose to me in Cancun, I had my suspicions, but definitely not on the first night. So finally, we wrap up and go back to the room. I am overwhelmed by the beautiful display of roses, swans, and decor on the bed. Through my tears I looked down to tell him how gorgeous it was, and there he was, on his knee. I was so overcome with the joy of saying yes to my best friend that I just burst out in tears and joyfully said yes. We got to enjoy the rest of our vacation as fiancés, and we had the most glorious time.

November 29, 2023

There are no words for how amazing our trip to Cancun was. The travel part was easy, aside from a little nervousness finding our shuttle at the airport but travelling was not as bad as everyone says it was. Ask Ryan about getting off the plane though, and how that experience was ;) (unless you're easily grossed out - then DON'T). We got to the resort, and everything was just stunning. Ryan took me to dinner our first night, and we got an amazing sweetheart dinner. This is where we were introduced to the carajillo (a tequila coffee liquor drink), and we've been hooked ever since. The best part of this was how the dinner went down. I started to feel done though, and after a long day of travelling I was ready to go back to the room. Ryan kept ordering more drinks and talking to the manager at the restaurant. By this point, I'm confused, and maybe wondering if I was supposed to have an engagement ring in my cake or something... I did not know he was going to propose to me in Cancun, I had my suspicions, but definitely not on the first night. So finally, we wrap up and go back to the room. I am overwhelmed by the beautiful display of roses, swans, and decor on the bed. Through my tears I looked down to tell him how gorgeous it was, and there he was, on his knee. I was so overcome with the joy of saying yes to my best friend that I just burst out in tears and joyfully said yes. We got to enjoy the rest of our vacation as fiancés, and we had the most glorious time.
We had our first Christmas dinner with the Godar family at the National Exemplar in Mariemont, and it was so amazing. The place was decorated so beautifully for Christmas, and the mushroom soup was just divine. (I left all the mushrooms at the bottom though). We were gifted an electric grill since we have an apartment, and we use it for anything and absolutely everything! Thank you for such a glorious Christmas.

December 23, 2023

We had our first Christmas dinner with the Godar family at the National Exemplar in Mariemont, and it was so amazing. The place was decorated so beautifully for Christmas, and the mushroom soup was just divine. (I left all the mushrooms at the bottom though). We were gifted an electric grill since we have an apartment, and we use it for anything and absolutely everything! Thank you for such a glorious Christmas.
The second Igel Family Christmas was glorious and LAME at the same time (inside joke). We have so much fun wrapping presents in everyday boxes that we have around the house, hence Ryan getting a box of garbage bags for Christmas! Dad got books about the history of farting, mom got her favorite peanut brittle, and I got to build my PVC pipe cactus. We don't do anything crazy for Christmas, but we had the best time, ate great food, as well as lots and lots of homemade Christmas cookies. We drove up one of the mountains close to home, and even though is was sunny and decently warm at the bottom, the higher up we went, the colder it got. When we got to the point where we took pictures, it was actually icy and frozen! Thank you for such a n amazing Christmas.

December 31, 2023

The second Igel Family Christmas was glorious and LAME at the same time (inside joke). We have so much fun wrapping presents in everyday boxes that we have around the house, hence Ryan getting a box of garbage bags for Christmas! Dad got books about the history of farting, mom got her favorite peanut brittle, and I got to build my PVC pipe cactus. We don't do anything crazy for Christmas, but we had the best time, ate great food, as well as lots and lots of homemade Christmas cookies. We drove up one of the mountains close to home, and even though is was sunny and decently warm at the bottom, the higher up we went, the colder it got. When we got to the point where we took pictures, it was actually icy and frozen! Thank you for such a n amazing Christmas.
This past 4th of July I got to go on summer vacation with the Godar Family, the Ollinger Family, and the Karpewitcz Family. (Not in order of favoritism ;)...) I am so thankful to be welcomed into this family so easily. I was a little nervous about a big family vacation like this because my family is so immediate, that the largest family function we ever have is six at the most. We had a beautiful house on the beach, everyone cooked food a different night to share with the family (and everyone food was amazing), I found so many awesome shells, and even got to go crab hunting for the first time! (Don't get me started on crab LEG hunting though - whole 'nother story.) We had a wonderful time, especially when we wore our matching patriot swimsuits while hunting for shark teeth on the actual 4th of July. Ryan and I even happened to run into a lady who not only was from Cincinnati, Ohio as well, but Batavia, Ohio none the less!

June 29, 2024

This past 4th of July I got to go on summer vacation with the Godar Family, the Ollinger Family, and the Karpewitcz Family. (Not in order of favoritism ;)...) I am so thankful to be welcomed into this family so easily. I was a little nervous about a big family vacation like this because my family is so immediate, that the largest family function we ever have is six at the most. We had a beautiful house on the beach, everyone cooked food a different night to share with the family (and everyone food was amazing), I found so many awesome shells, and even got to go crab hunting for the first time! (Don't get me started on crab LEG hunting though - whole 'nother story.) We had a wonderful time, especially when we wore our matching patriot swimsuits while hunting for shark teeth on the actual 4th of July. Ryan and I even happened to run into a lady who not only was from Cincinnati, Ohio as well, but Batavia, Ohio none the less!