September 2021: Both (reluctantly) signed up on match.com
September 25, 2021: Met online
October 13, 2021: First phone call (which lasted two hours!)
December 17, 2021: Met in person (in New Orleans)
January 15, 2022: Ryan asked Aimee to be his girlfriend
July 3, 2022: Ryan asked Aimee to be his wife

Since September 28, 2021 there has not been one day without talking (about everything).

“He hath made everything beautiful in its time…” Ecclesiastes 3:11

Ryan had plans of flying Aimee to Corpus Christi to meet his family the weekend of July 4th. She had talked to his mom via phone and texts but couldn’t wait to meet everyone in person.

The morning of July 2nd Aimee arrived at the New Orleans airport (at 4 AM!) to find out the flight to Dallas that was on time when she went to sleep the night before had been canceled. To make a long chaotic story short she rented a car, met Ryan in Houston, and drove together to Corpus Christi where Aimee was warmly welcomed with hugs from everyone! She was confused about the emotions as they had just met for the first time, but was just as excited. Little did she know what was in store the next day!

The plan was to have a family day and after visiting with Ryan’s grandparents they headed to the art museum. Due to traffic Ryan’s mom dropped them off and said she would catch up with them later which confused Aimee. After walking around a few exhibits at the museum, they came across some photographers who asked if they wanted their picture taken for a website they were creating for cute couples. Aimee thought it was weird, and almost said no, but figured she could download the photograph. After a few poses, she started to wonder about things when they had Ryan “run up behind her for a hug” only to have the photographer shout “oh no! He fell!”
Aimee didn’t fall for that and said, “No, he didn’t”.
“He did! Look!”
“No”
It took a long time to turn around, but when she finally did there was her Ryan down on one knee. They locked eyes for a moment and he asked, “Will you be my wife?”.

It was the easiest decision she ever made and as soon as she snapped back to life said “yes”. As they were walking out of the door his grandparents were walking in along with his parents. This explained the emotional first hug the day before and as the realization that they knew all along and were there for this special day hit, so did a new waterfall of tears!

Aimee FaceTimed her dad from the museum and found out Ryan called him to ask for permission the day before while traveling.

Among the things we quickly learned we have in common are having ukuleles, maracas, and a “ball in a cup game”.

“Aimee, why do you have a ukulele?”

I am glad you asked. My cousin Julie gave me the uke, maracas and cup game when she was moving. They have been stored in my closet for about ten years.

Ryan plays guitar and ukulele because he is a Jack of all trades.

These items had been stored in my closet for years when, low and behold, the person I made up in my mind that was from Texas whom I met “randomly” met on the internet also had these exact items. I can’t remember who brought it up first but world’s hilariously collided when we found this out.

Ryan taught me to play the ukulele, and the first song learned was Riptide by Vance Joy. We enjoyed FaceTime ukulele dates and wandering the city of New Orleans, LA and Beaumont, TX playing the few songs in our repertoire.

Ask us to play anything … just as long as it is Riptide.