The year was 2019. Rayna and Ryan were both single. Ryan was living in Downers Grove, an hour outside Chicago. Rayna lived in the city and had a strict filter set on all her dating apps to weed out anyone living in the suburbs.

One night, Ryan came into the city to get drinks with some friends, putting him within five miles of Rayna’s apartment in Roscoe Village. They both opened Bumble that night and swiped right on each other.

Their first date was scheduled for mid-December, but Rayna had to cancel because she was working late. When they rescheduled, she asked Ryan where he was coming from. Upon finding out where he lived, she legitimately almost canceled the date. Luckily, her roommates convinced her to give him a chance. You might know these girls as Rayna’s maids of honor!

Ryan asked Rayna to meet him at a board game bar called Guthrie’s Tavern in the city. She came straight from work, and he drove in from Downers Grove for the occasion. It was December 30th, right after the holidays, so they both ordered Christmas-themed drinks as they played Sorry! and talked about their lives.

Rayna mentioned her favorite board game was Scrabble, so Ryan went and got the board. Rather than playing a traditional game of Scrabble, he suggested they spell out a short story using letters they drew at random. Finding this suggestion cute and spontaneous, Rayna was instantly smitten.

Ryan asked Rayna to be his girlfriend a couple weeks later, but they still celebrate their dating anniversary on December 30th.

Though they’d only been together for two months when the Covid-19 lockdown went into effect, Rayna decided to work from Ryan’s place for what they thought would be a two-week staycation. Within a year, all of Rayna’s things were at Ryan’s condo, and the two of them still live there to this day.

We've been on many adventures, but none compare to the adventure we’re about to embark on together. We are grateful to all our friends and family who have supported us along the way, and we can’t wait to celebrate this milestone together!