In August 2018, after connecting on the dating app, Hinge, we met for drinks at a wine bar in Chicago. We were both pretty smitten from the beginning. Ryan's first impression of Kat was how expressive she was, and Kat remembers how genuine and inquisitive Ryan was. We dated for almost a year before Ryan took a job in NYC and we decided to keep dating long-distance. We both knew our relationship was worth it.

Shortly after Ryan moved, COVID shut down the world, and made it much more difficult for us to fly to see each other. We video-chatted almost every day and leaned on each other for support through a chaotic time. Looking back, we agree it only made our relationship stronger.

Ryan moved back to Chicago in May 2021. In August that year, we got our cat named Gary, who is a very good snail (iykyk). Ryan proposed later that month and made it the most special day including both our immediate families.

In August 2023, we will have been dating for 5 amazing years.

We've both said how easy and comfortable our relationship has always been, and we can't wait to celebrate that with all of our closest family and friends!