Kristen and Ryan’s story began when their paths crossed at Purdue University in 2017. Ryan was finishing his final year in mechanical engineering and Kristen was completing her first degree in a series of degrees from Purdue. As Kristen jetted off to the land down under to study abroad in Australia and New Zealand, the pair began to build a friendship via texting and FaceTime.

In August of 2018, their relationship reached a new level as they met in Kristen’s home near the Jersey shore.

Kristen then began her four-year endeavor of becoming a doctor of veterinary medicine at Purdue as Ryan began his engineering career in the Motor City of Detroit, Michigan. Compared to being separated by an ocean, the 4-hour drive seemed like a walk down the block and Ryan and Kristen met on a regular basis every other weekend.

Over the course of 4 years, the couple bonded over their shared loves of going for nature walks, traveling to new places, attending musicals and comedy shows, long drives singing along to the radio, and of course attending many Boilermaker football and basketball games. While Ryan is from Pennsylvania and Kristen is from New Jersey, their love story flourished during their time as transplants in the Midwest, and Purdue holds a special place in their relationship.

During a visit to Sea Isle City on a chilly November morning in 2022, after Ryan seemed suspiciously excited to wake up Kristen at 5 am to see the sunrise, Ryan got down on one knee in the sand as the sun rose over the Atlantic. After repeating “Really?” several times, Kristen finally said yes!

Fast forward to 2023, and after Kristen received a title upgrade to Doctor from Purdue, they packed up a U-Haul and headed due east on I-80.

Dr. Kristen landed at Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital in Monmouth County as Ryan joined the Port Authority of NY and NJ. The pair settled in the middle and has found a new home in Aberdeen, NJ.

The future Craigs are content to be within close distance of the beach, family and friends, Broadway musicals in New York, and Ryan’s beloved Philly sports teams. As they look forward to future adventures, such as finding a home with a yard to fill with many furry friends, they are filled with joy to be able to start the next chapter of their lives with all of their friends and family on their wedding day.