Ryan and Emily met in the spring of 2017 at Mizzou and during the final months of Ryan's senior year. Spending time getting to know each other over food like meatball subs from sub shop and Ryan convincing Emily to skip work at bleu so they could hang out. Soon after graduating, Ryan moved to back home to KC to start work at Cerner, while Emily came to visit Overland Park and the new Westport apartment. On her 21st birthday in July, Ryan came back to Columbia and celebrated with all her friends and family. The following day he asked her to be his girlfriend before he headed back to KC for work. The following year until Emily graduated was long distance and much longer distance than KC to Columbia at times. Ryan was traveling every week for his new job in Arizona, Utah, Alabama, and even Ireland. Emily took every chance to see him when he wasn't on the move and would visit him and his family/friends in KC. Emily interviewed for jobs in KC so she could tell her parents she was moving for a career and not a boy. After getting her job offer a few weeks after graduation, she moved to KC soon and even made it to the same apartment complex. It didn't take Ryan long to plan a significant sushi date night. As they were on the way to the restaurant, he mentioned that Wayside Waifs was having an adopt-a-thon where they had too many dogs (he failed to mention they were only $25) and it could be fun to "play with some dogs" before dinner. They walked out of there with Dunkel, and no sushi was eaten that night. After spending a year in an apartment without a yard, they decided that would need to change and a great opportunity appeared to purchase the house they live in today in the historic Roanoke neighborhood. Dunkel may have been the most thrilled about his new yard. The next spring, they spent all of quarantine working in this house together and didn't drive each other crazy, which was a good sign, considering they still work in the same room to this day when Emily works from home. During covid they also gained another family member in a covid dog, since "dunk needed a friend". Kodiak (Kodi) is crazy but loved by those she lets close to her. Over the years, there were many family trips to different destinations. Em and Ry going to Chicago to visit family and family coming to KC to spend time together. We knew we were playing with house money when our families got along so well that they became friends (often accompanied by many beers/cocktails). After 4 years together Ryan was starting the process to propose but had a long road ahead. He asked for her parent's permission over thanksgiving weekend, and then went through the process of getting the ring. There were limited opportunities ahead to have surprise and the stipulation of Emily's parents being there. Eventually in late July, Ryan asked Emily to marry him by "checking yes" at the George Strait concert. This had been coordinated for months and many people who didn't like country were at the tailgate, but Emily was still surprised. A year and a half later, they are so excited to share this special day with all of their favorite people!