As most of you know, Ryan and Paige met at the end of freshman year at the University of Illinois. After being introduced by a mutual friend, it took a few run-ins around campus and one now-infamous "shoulder squeeze" on the quad for Ryan and Paige to be on each other's radar.

Ryan's and Paige's first "official" date would happen when Ryan invited her to the Sigma Chi bowling event. That night, Ryan learned how competitive Paige was when she arrived ready to beat him, which unfortunately did not happen. After a Noodles and Company dinner date (thanks for the gift card, Barb!), things had started becoming official. The connection didn’t go unnoticed-as Kevin Campbell would say to Ryan very early on, “Ryan, you’re going to marry that girl.”

The next 8 years flew by. College was full of barndances, costumes, formals, and walks around Campus. After graduating, Ryan and Paige spent hours at the library studying together for CPA exams and dental board and eventually moved in together.

Their four years on Fletcher Street have been full of cooking, entertaining, and spoiling their dog and center of attention, Bailey.

When Ryan made plans to pop the question in Breckenridge during a ski trip, he had a very difficult time hiding the surprise from Paige. After taking extra precautions to turn off his phone’s location, he made trips out to the suburbs to design the ring and to ask for “P-Dog’s” blessing.

The stars aligned for the trip to Colorado. Ryan finished work early and the airline coincidentally called to see if he and Paige would like to board an earlier flight; Paige landed and immediately got her nails done for the first time all year (with absolutely no inkling a proposal was imminent).

Besides a minor boot over-tightening incident, skiing Breck was off to a great start (and Ryan didn’t drop the ring off the chairlift!) When pausing for a picture break at the top of the mountain (coincidentally Paige’s first black diamond- get it), Ryan got down on one knee while surrounded by a group of their closest friends and family. Following multiple “ARE YOU SERIOUS”s, Paige eventually said “yes!” and was fortunate enough to make it down the mountain with goggles full of happy tears.

It has been a whirlwind ever since, but there is no one else in the word that we would rather celebrate with- friends and family from all across the country. To all of our guests- THANK YOU. Thank you for your love and support throughout our relationship. To our families- thank you for loving us as one and welcoming us so wholeheartedly into the family. To our friends- thank you for helping us grow together and for putting up with us at our most “Ryan and Paige.”