Our Hallmark story (as Ryan calls it) began over 18 years ago… when we met at Rectors Flat Church as teenagers. My family sat directly behind his, and I quickly became enamored with my view.

Back in 2006 the way to flirt was through MSN or Bebo, where I spent months trying to woo the former Quarterback. Despite our 4 year age difference, my stubbornness finally wore him down. We shared a love for all things outdoors, farming, our families- and especially each other.

Ryan drove home from WKU every weekend, waiting on me in the high school parking lot. Friday at 3:15 became the best part of my week, running down the hill and jumping in his arms- even accidentally dented in his prized Chevy from jumping too quick.

People gave us grief over our age difference, stating we could date others easier, but we didn’t care. I believe those that know us would agree we are two of the most stubborn individuals you will ever meet, and we do not give up easy- especially on each other. Ryan became my first real Kiss, Date, Relationship, and Love. They say you’ll never forget your first love, and we never did.

After two loving years, life took us in different directions. Ryan finished college at WKU and began setting up life back home, while I was ready to spread my wings to leave for UK.

For 16 years we remained friends from a distance, always bumping into one another at the fair, talking every year on our birthdays, picking out paint colors for his house, and having dinner every so many years.

In our years apart, we didn’t realize how God was moving in our lives to lead us back to one another in HIS timing. After being gone for 14 years, I finally had a job that allowed me to move back home. Ironically, one week later, I had an overwhelming need (God saying hint hint…) to reach out to Ryan to tell him I was moving home…..shortly after we met for dinner, and I was a giddy teenager all over again.

Finally the timing was right for and we’ve been inseparable ever since. You could say we wasted those 16 years, but we don’t. God was molding us for one another in ways we are still learning.

After all these years, Sunday evenings on the Steele farm is still our favorite Date- it only seemed appropriate for our proposal to take place where it all began, including cows!

It’s been a LONG time coming, and we are over the moon to begin our next chapter as Mr.&Mrs. Steele ❤️