Back in March 2011 Kristen was working towards completing her undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering at Wayne State University, while Ryan was just beginning his first engineering job at Chrysler after graduating from Michigan State the prior December. Both were living in the same apartment complex in Royal Oak, MI when a chance encounter by the mailboxes changed everything. As they noticed each other walk up a typical awkward introduction session ensued before they each retreated to their apartments (which happened to be right next door to each other). Immediately Ryan felt like he had blown a golden opportunity to meet a beautiful girl, and wholly unsatisfied with their initial surface level exchange he "manned up" and decided to knock on her door and try for something a little more meaningful. This would prove to be one of the single most important decisions he ever made.

Although she wasn't actively searching for a relationship at the time, something told Kristen to let this random guy in to talk, and after a few hours the foundation was set for what would blossom into an amazing partnership. They found many common interests such as engineering and a love for Detroit sports, but it was really the instant feeling of comfort and openness with each other that indicated to both Kristen and Ryan that something special was at work here. The two weren't officially a couple until after another few weeks and a handful of long conversations on beliefs, personal stories and life in general, but after just that first night following their random encounter it was clear that nothing was ever going to be the same.

Over the course of the next few years Kristen and Ryan's relationship continued to grow, and when Kristen moved out of the apartment complex in which the two had met it didn't take long before Ryan elected to move in with her in downtown Detroit. By now Kristen had earned her engineering degree and was embarking on a much bigger challenge, Medical School. Despite extensive warnings that over the next 4 years her free time would be minimal and her stress levels would skyrocket Ryan was never concerned about the solidarity of their relationship, but instead was determined to help support this woman he loved through one of the most difficult times of her life. Kristen, of course, thrived throughout Med School, and the trials and tribulations faced throughout only served to strengthen the bond between the couple.

Early in 2014 it became increasingly clear to Ryan that Kristen was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. After some close dealings with her best friends to ensure the hardware was adequate, and receiving a gracious blessing from Kristen's parents Ryan hatched out a plan to ask the big question. The couple made an early morning trek to Blake's Cider Mill on a wet, windy day in October 2014 with Kristen expecting nothing more than a simple feast of donuts and cider as the two had done annually over the past few years. After they finished their donuts Ryan, secretively clutching the small box in his pocket to ensure it didn't drop into the mud, suggested they head into the orchard to pick out some apples to bring home. When they got out there Ryan strategically lured Kristen into an unoccupied area in the trees where they would be secluded. As they pulled down various types of apples and compared their findings Ryan, ring already in hand, made one last reach up into the tree and casually asked Kristen "Which type do you think this one is?" As she turned to inspect the apple she found no fruit in Ryan's hand, but instead a box containing the ring she had always imagined. Ryan got down on to one knee (halfway bracing for some stability as light-headedness set in) and asked the woman of his dreams if she'd spend the rest of her life with him. Through simultaneous looks of shock, excitement, bewilderment and joy she managed to utter a "yes".

In March 2015 Kristen was informed that following her graduation from Medical School in May she would begin her residency program for Internal Medicine/Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. While this was somewhat of a surprise, and of course a bit scary to the both of them, Kristen and Ryan prepared for a 1300 mile move across the country to a place they had never been, and certainly never imagined they would live. As of July Ryan has begun a new engineering job in Houston and Kristen has started year one of a four year residency at the Texas Medical Center. The two are just beginning the exploration of their new surroundings, and can't wait for all of the new, unique experiences Texas will surely have to offer them. They are already counting down the days until June 4, 2016 when they will head back up to Michigan and reconvene with family and friends to catch up on the past year, reminisce over years before that and officially begin their lives together as husband and wife!