With both of us growing up on opposite sides of the country, our story of how we met is pretty unique. As Nicole started Physical Therapy school at Daemen University she became very good friends with a mutual friend of Ryan's who he went to St. Bonaventure with. With our friend Kathryn playing match maker and after multiple attempts of trying to get a date, Nicole finally said yes. The plan was to have a casual lunch at a local Buffalo restaurant called Colter Bay, but three hours later and our lunches barely touched, it was the best first date we ever had. After a few more dates we quickly began to realize that our families meant everything to one another and admired the love we had for them. This was just one of the many things we had in common.

Very soon after meeting, an unexpected long distance came in to play when COVID hit and the world was under quarantine. Nicole had been back in California for spring break where she got stuck for the next four months. We kept in touch everyday, patiently waiting for when we’d be able to see each other again. In both our eyes it helped build a stronger relationship, showing us that we wanted to make this work no matter the distance. With Nicole’s clinical internships in California and Ryan's work/coaching in Buffalo, unfortunately long distance became very normal on and off pattern for about 3 years. A lot of people would ask us how we did it, and the immediate answer was “it’s easy, if they are the one, then you make it work.” We give thanks to God for leading our paths together the way he did and for answering our prayers.

Ryan just recently moved out to California and we now live in Napa together! We are loving every moment of it and taking all the opportunities to adventure and be active. We love going to the lake during the summer and water skiing, going on hikes with Dodger, going to farmers markets on the weekends, traveling to visit friends and family- near and far, and trying out new restaurants, wineries, or breweries that pop up in the napa valley. We both keep very busy with our day to day jobs. Ryan is working as a strength and conditioning coach for a local high school's baseball and football team, coaching baseball at the high school level, and running private lessons and training clinics on the side. Nicole is working as a physical therapist at a local hospital in the acute rehabilitation center and teaching in the physical therapy residency the hospital runs.

We are so thankful and grateful for the wonderful people in our lives and for the two most loving and supportive families that we are blessed with. Both of our parents have set wonderful examples of what true love and commitment to one another through out life should be. We cherish the values and love we were both raised with and find comfort in knowing we both have found someone we can share this with.

We are so ecstatic to be getting married and even more for you to celebrate along with us!!! Make sure you bring your dancing shoes because if you know anything about us as a couple, it is that we LOVE to dance and will be the last people out on the dance floor :)

let all that you do be done in love

1 corinthians 16:14