Who invited Chelsey that night, I truly don’t know, and honestly, I think I prefer it that way. To me, that person will always be the unsung hero of our story, the unseen hand that brought us together. So, let me take you back to that evening, March 23rd, 2021.

We were coming off a strange year—college was online, my baseball season was canceled, and time seemed to slow down. My teammates and I, those who stayed in town, had fallen into a familiar routine of late nights filled with TV, games, and conversation. It was the same activities, the same group, the same faces, the same. . . who’s that?

There she was, sitting in a chair facing away from the door, talking and engaging with my friends. Her blonde hair caught the light, she turned and my gaze locked with her blue eyes.

“Hi, I’m Ryan.”

“Hi, Chelsey,” she responded.

Her gentle and magnetic charm commanded the room and captured my interest. As the night went on, we found ourselves gravitating toward each other, teaming up on the same games and slipping into easy conversation.

But let’s not pretend this was some love-at-first-sight moment, a “and the rest was history” kind of night. No, this was simply how we met. What followed was a friendship that, for the next 15 months, would prove to be anything but ordinary.

Believe it or not, we were just friends—best friends, actually. That spring, Chelsey became a regular part of our friend group. We spent our days making memories that felt endless, and soon enough, we were inseparable, though the line of friendship remained intact. Until, of course, it didn’t. By the next spring, something began to shift. Those small moments started to carry more weight, those glances a bit longer. And on June 1, 2022, I took the initiative to make our relationship more than a friendship—boyfriend and girlfriend. Officially dating, we began what would become a love story that tested and grew us in ways we couldn’t have anticipated.

Shortly after we started dating, life threw us a curveball. Chelsey accepted a job in Nashville, Tennessee, and with that, we embarked on a long-distance relationship—not just a couple of hours apart, but a “see you in a few months” kind of long distance. This, I believe, is the most remarkable part of our relationship. Only two months in, we were faced with the challenge of distance, and it forced us to mature quickly. Communication, trust, patience, and commitment—all of these needed to strengthen in what seemed like overnight.

Long distance strips a relationship down to its core. The distractions and conveniences that make things easy when you're together disappear. For us, the mask was ripped off, and what we found underneath was real and solid. Every visit became precious, every moment together was even more meaningful, and every goodbye, though hard, reassured us that this was worth it.

Today, Chelsey is still working in sales in Nashville, and I’m finishing up my last year of college baseball. And of the distance between us? It’s coming to an end. Still, ending long distance was never the goal. There was always something bigger, something that was pushing us forward—a particular event on a particular day that isn’t just one moment but the beginning of a lifetime.

But let me not get ahead of myself. Before that day could come, a few things had to happen. Planning a proposal for that special day while only seeing each other a few times a year wasn’t easy. I had found the perfect person, but I needed the perfect place, the perfect timing. Everything had to line up—family, schedules, and making sure Chelsey had no clue what was coming. After months of planning with Casey, her sister, we devised a plan that ticked every box.

In August 2024, I flew out to Nashville to help her move into her new home. There were so many beautiful places there, perfect moments where I could have asked her to marry me. Did I ask? No. Then we flew out to Colorado for a family vacation—mountains, breathtaking views, endless horizons. Another perfect opportunity! Did I ask? No. We returned to California to visit her family. That’s when I planned a small trip for just the two of us. I took her on a surprise drive through the winding mountains to an observatory. From the sunset unlike anything I’d ever seen, to the stars we got to observe through the telescopes, everything about that night was breathtaking. Did I ask? No.

The next day, August 11th, 2024 we made our way home, first stopping for lunch at a plaza in downtown San Jose. Earlier I had casually asked Chelsey if she wanted to do something special that day on our way home, and she suggested that a winery would be fun. Whether it was truly her idea or my subtle persuasion, well, I think we know the answer.

First I must mention that though the previous locations were undeniably stunning, recall that this plan needed to tick every box: family present, daylight, an element of surprise, and a breathtaking view. Where could it all come together? And so our story continues:

On our way back from San Jose, we found ourselves in Livermore, a charming town known for its wineries—a perfect fit and of course, her idea. We pulled into a vineyard and parked slightly away from the main lot.

“Are you sure we can park here?” Chelsey asked confused.

“Yes, I called ahead, and they told me to park here.”

We stepped out of the car, and hand in hand we began our journey toward a secluded area of the vineyard. Soft music began to play in the background, a gazebo materialized in the distance, and the barren path became one lined with flowers.

In the preceding weeks, I had been blessed with countless breathtaking views—from the staggering mountain peaks of the Mile High City to the glittering stars in the heavens. Yet, nothing compared to the moment I saw Chelsey's face as realization dawned upon her: tears brimmed in her eyes; her smile to a frown, but not one of sorrow but one that punched of sheer emotional joy; and her features trembled. A symphony of resonating emotions.

As we approached the gazebo, I took a deep breath, my voice steady yet filled with emotion, and to culminate my brief speech expressing my love for her, I dropped down onto one knee and uttered the question that I will only ask once, “Will you marry me?”

Her response came with a radiant smile and a definite, “Yes.”

In that blissful moment, the world seemed to stand still. Moments later, the veil of surprise lifted once again as her family, my family, and our closest friends emerged from their hiding places, transforming the scene into a celebration.

I eagerly anticipate the day I get to call Chelsey my wife, beginning a lifetime of love, laughter, and adventure together. My hearts desire is for Christ to be the foundation and center of our relationship, guiding us as we build a family and raise children who know and love Him. Every moment with her is a gift, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life making memories, sharing joys, and facing life's challenges side by side.

C&R

Wedding

4:00 PM

Ceremony

5:30 PM

Reception