They say “love at first sight” is just a cliché, but in this rare moment, I knew it was as real as it gets.

On August 21, 2022, I met the woman who would become Mrs. Haley Vallon. After that first date at TED’s in Spring Lake, Michigan, I remember telling my then-roommate, “I just found the love of my life.” That was the beginning of a journey we didn’t even realize we were starting. Just a few weeks later, on a Labor Day trip to Michigan’s breathtaking Upper Peninsula, we made it official. I’ll never forget the feeling of being surrounded by the wild beauty of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, with someone even more beautiful sitting beside me.

One of my favorite things about Haley is when she asks, “Where’s your sense of adventure?”—usually after she suggests some wild idea. Together, we’ve wandered from Grand Rapids to Atlanta, and back to Michigan again, learning to navigate life in new cities and overcoming every challenge along the way. The strength we built through those early, uncertain years laid the foundation for a love that can weather anything.

I’ve found a partner in every sense of the word, and together we’re creating something truly special. We’ve welcomed Daisy, our lovable cat who has perfected the art of begging for treats, into our little family. Every place we live, Haley transforms from just an address into a home, filled with warmth, love and laughter. I often remind her, “Home is wherever you are,” because, no matter where life takes us, being with her is what makes any place feel like home.

But our adventures aren’t only about where we reside. With Haley by my side, I traveled beyond North America, boarded my first cruise ship and explored both the Mediterranean and Caribbean. While living down south, we took advantage of the proximity to Orlando and made subsequent trips to Disney World. Together, we seek out new experiences, from weekend getaways in northern Michigan to Broadway shows, comedy clubs, and sporting events.

I never want our story to end. In the words of Natasha Beddingfield, “Today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten.” and every moment, big or small, is another chapter in the story we’re perpetually writing together.

We cannot wait to celebrate our love with you.

—Ryan