To sum it up: We are adventurers who love travel. Foodies that always eat local when traveling to get the full experience. Avid concert-goers that believe you only live once so just buy the concert ticket. But most importantly we are madly in love with each other and have decided to tie the knot!

We first met at Drury University in 2016 where Ryan worked in Student Affairs and Bethany worked in the Registrar's Office. Our friendship really developed when we both enrolled in a masters program with Drury's Graduate Studies division. Out of ten classes, we were in seven together. After each class session, we could usually be found in the parking lot of the Shewmaker Communication Studies building talking about work, class, and life in general. During all of these conversations, Ryan never thought Bethany could ever be interested in a guy like him. Ryan is the easy-going, never read for class, always started papers later than he should of type. Bethany is the organized, have to be done well before the deadline, and actually enjoyed reading for class type. But you know what they say, opposites do attract.

Fast forward to 2020 and Bethany made the first move by reaching out to Ryan who she hadn't seen in about a year due to Ryan moving to a different organization. After being incredibly anxious about deciding to send that first SnapChat message, Bethany finally did it and Ryan responded. A few weeks later, we went on our first date which Ryan planned two hours before it was suppose to take place. But, we have to give it to him, he can sure plan a first date and about 2 1/2 years later, he planned an unforgettable proposal (see details below).

We have been together nearly four years now and those years have been filled with some amazing adventures. Trips to thirteen different states, countless concerts, and maybe one too many casino trips. Ryan has convinced Bethany to play blackjack and she has actually convinced him to not wait to the last minute to plan things. However, he has yet to convince her to cheer for the Kansas City Chiefs over the Dallas Cowboys. But in all truthfulness, that's one of our favorite things to tease each other about.

We bought our first house together in 2022 and currently reside in Republic, MO with our attention-seeking, but sweetest dog ever, Sallie. If we're not out on an adventure somewhere (our bucket list is never-ending), we can most likely be found either relaxing at home, attempting to win at a game night with friends, or managing event setups for our business, Alpha-Lit Springfield.

We want to thank everyone who has been a part of our lives these last four years. Your support, laughter, and friendship means the world to us. We cannot wait to celebrate with everyone on our wedding day!

Registry