Ryan and I first crossed paths on a dating app in 2019. Our early chats weren’t exactly fireworks—but every morning, without fail, he’d send me a sweet “good morning” message. Then, suddenly, he went quiet.

Unbeknownst to me, Ryan had suffered an accident at work while serving as a Cavalry Scout in the Army. After a month and a half of silence, he reached out and asked if I’d like to talk on the phone. That call changed everything. I got to meet the real Ryan—outrageous, charismatic, and full of life. I was instantly hooked.

We made it official on January 11, 2020, just before the world turned upside down. Navigating a new relationship during a global pandemic wasn’t easy, but we found ways to stay close—talking constantly, squeezing in visits whenever possible, and even watching Tiger King together over video calls (yes, Joe Exotic was part of our love story).

From early on, I knew I’d never met anyone as kind, selfless, and genuine as Ryan… even if he does have a wild streak. And that’s exactly what I love about him.