The story starts on a cool blustery day in Oklahoma City, March of 2018.

Heather and Ryan were both in the city for work reasons. Ryan worked for Brookville Equipment, as a Testing and Validation Engineer for streetcars. Heather worked for Knorr Brake who was the vendor of the streetcar brake system to Brookville. The first Oklahoma City Streetcar had been delivered to the customer and it was time for system tuning, commissioning and testing.

The team, comprised of several people from different facets of the streetcar program, gathered in the Operation and Maintenance Facility (OMF). The kickoff meeting was held in the break room. This is the first time Ryan and Heather had a chance to meet. Introductions were done and during the chit chat before the meeting, it was found out that Heather and Ryan had attended the same college, Frostburg State University, and done the same small Mechanical Engineering Collaborative Program with University of Maryland which only graduated about half a dozen students a year. They had just missed each other as Ryan graduated in the summer of 2012 and Heather started college in the fall of 2012.

The work trip was what would be a typical work trip for both of them in their careers: high stress, long days and constant issues to overcome but with a team dedicated to the task.

Fast forward several years and several streetcar projects, Ryan and Heather continue to work together testing and commissioning streetcars in cities throughout the US.

In early 2022, they begin to start dating, living four hours apart. Over the course of the next year, they strengthen the relationship even with the distance and put on many miles taking turns making the drive almost every weekend without ever second guessing it due to the love for each other. In June 2023, Heather made the move to live with Ryan, going full remote with her company.

In July 2023, Ryan asked Heather to marry him on a calm peaceful night while looking at the stars at the pavilion they had built together. Heather excitedly agreed and the engaged couple looked forward to the future.

As had become tradition, an adventure was planned for the Thanksgiving break 2023. Ryan and Heather (with their sidekick Riley) planned to work towards Heather's goal of visiting all 63 national parks by flying to Utah and road tripping 4 national parks. The trip was to be visiting parks she had not yet seen with a stop for Thanksgiving Day in Southern Utah with Ryan's mom and her friends. And then the trip plans took a turn.

Ryan and Heather had discussed eloping before so it could be a special day for them without all the distractions and stress a typical wedding can be. On November 7th, while at the jewelry store having the engagement ring cleaned, the spark of an idea found a fuel source and a plan was made. They would change the Thanksgiving trip that both families knew about into a secret elopement. Wedding rings were purchased that night and the next 10 days (because they were flying west on November 17th) were spent getting everything planned and inline for a beautiful rocky mountain elopement. No one was aware of the plan prior to the trip or during the trip until after the marriage. The couple, with Riley as the flower girl/snack monster, self-solemnized in Estes Park, Colorado on November 21st, 2023. Photos were then taken in a very beautiful and fitting place, Rocky Mountain National Park.

The newlywed couple would love to share the excitement and joy with everyone and are hosting the reception at the party pavilion at their home on July 13, 2024.

H&R

Wedding Reception