January 27, 2003 was the American sports holiday known as Super Bowl Sunday between the Oakland Raiders and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but for Ryan, it was the first time that he laid eyes on his future wife. On that day, Ryan and Mary Ellen attended a mutual friend's Super Bowl party. Being from rival high schools in Plano, the two had never met.

While Ryan was attentively watching the Super Bowl, Mary Ellen was busy being her social butterfly self. In the midst of that party, Mary Ellen caught Ryan's attention, and deep inside, Ryan knew that there was something special about this incredibly beautiful girl. Although they did not talk on that day, Ryan knew he was going to pursue Mary Ellen. From that day on, there was something transcendent that was pulling the two towards one another as their separate life events would eventually lead them back to one another once again.

Throughout the following years, after having a brief dating stint in high school, Ryan and Mary Ellen would meet every year or so for coffee or drinks during their college years. Although they both knew that the chemistry was there, the circumstances didn't line up for for the two to come together due to long distance and busy schedules.

God was still growing Ryan and Mary Ellen personally through their experiences in the Army and in teaching, and the timing just wasn't right. The signs were all there though, from one time randomly being on the same flight from NYC to Dallas to consistently bringing each other up in deep conversations with close friends to literally dreaming about one another.

After enduring many trials and triumphs while maturing as people, Ryan realized that he still had strong feelings for Mary Ellen. After having his thoughts affirmed by those whom he deeply trusted, Ryan made it a point to reach out to Mary Ellen and ask her out on a genuine, no-questions-asked date. From the moment the two sat down together in Cru at the Shops of Legacy in Plano on the night of October 10^th, 2014, they knew that the deal was done and that they had both met their match.

Ryan and Mary Ellen got engaged in the Luxembourg Gardens in the middle of Paris, France on March 20th, 2016 during Ryan's time off from Army duty in Europe and Mary Ellen's Spring Break. It was the perfect climactic romantic event that would make all of their hopes and dreams come true for both of them.

For our wedding, we want to bring it back to where it all began: Plano, Texas. We both come from amazing families, are blessed with incredibly close friendships, and most importantly, we love God with all of our heart. We have the best time when we are dancing and laughing together and can't wait to celebrate with those closest to us on our wedding day of January 21st, 2017.

When we first started dating, we both knew that the timing and connection was orchestrated by God which gave both of us greater faith and confidence in moving forward in our relationship. We are forever thankful for God's sovereignty and timing and for all of the special people and circumstances that have led us to this incredibly exciting time in our lives. On January 21st, 2017 we will come together as one before God and those closest to us, and we hope to see you there. It will truly be a dream come true for the both of us.

M&R

Wedding Day

5:00 PM

Wedding

Reception