Once upon a time...just kidding! Melissa and Ryan met in seventh grade and began awkwardly hanging out with their groups of friends at bowling alleys, movie theaters, and pool parties. Ryan asked Melissa to go to Junior prom, and they took arguably the greatest prom photos of all time. Come senior year, they became closer friends and could be found hanging out at her locker and in study hall.

After graduation, Melissa and Ryan went off to their respective colleges. Melissa was on her way to becoming a "Rose Bud" in Albany and Ryan was off to the far-away land of Binghamton. Their contact was reduced to school breaks when their group of friends would get together. Fast forward to the summer after sophomore year, Melissa and Ryan started hanging out more often. One of their favorite places to go was Grafton State Park, and it was there they decided to try a long distance relationship. They would promise to write each other letters and visit each other as often as possible. Is anyone surprised Melissa was most excited to make cards for Ryan?

On July 16th that summer, Melissa received a letter in the mail. Her first one. She was ecstatic. Ryan was asking Melissa to be his girlfriend. She said yes! They dated for 8 years; some long distance, some not. They bought a home and adopted a pup. This past July 16th, they were celebrating their 8th anniversary when Melissa received another letter. Her second one? She was ecstatic. Ryan was asking Melissa to be his wife. She said yes!

Needless to say, July 16th is a special day for us. No one gets married on a Monday...so please join us on Saturday the 21st! Let us #EatDrinkAndBeFarley