Amber and Rylan’s story began with a year-long “fling” before making things official. Rylan had a plan in mind: he’d wait until he got his driver’s license before officially asking me out. And the very next day after that big milestone, we went on our first real date. We decided to go to the late movie in Marshall. Excited for our first official date, everything seemed to fall into place—until we stepped out of the theater to discover that Rylan had accidentally left his car lights on, and his battery was dead. We shared a mix of laughs and worry, trying to figure out what to do. Fortunately, a few friends were nearby and happy to help jump-start the car. We eventually got on our way, but it was clear from that night forward that our story was going to be one of adventure, laughter, and a whole lot of love.

After that memorable first date, our journey began officially dating and spent the rest of our high school years side by side. Our last names fell so close together in the alphabet that our lockers were right next to each other every year, making it easy to see one another between classes. We became each other's biggest supporters, cheering each other on in every sport, performance, and extracurricular activity.

When college began, we embarked on the next chapter of our journey—this time, at different schools. Rylan pursued medical biology at USD, setting his sights on becoming a doctor, while I headed to SDSU with plans to become a pharmacist. This new chapter brought both excitement and challenge as we adjusted to long-distance dating. Our freshman year became a test of trust and communication, as we navigated the distance. Weekends were a bright spot, filled with excitement to see each other, but Sundays always brought a bittersweet goodbye. Despite the difficulty of being apart, this experience helped us grow even closer, proving that the strength of our relationship could withstand any distance.

Christmas breaks quickly became our favorite time of year. After months apart during the semester, we cherished every chance to spend days in each other's company and enjoy holiday traditions with families. The past few years we have had the privilege of going on a cruise with Rylan’s family. Soaking up the sun, relaxing with family, and getting to spend uninterrupted time together has made Christmas breaks especially meaningful—filled with memories we carry with us during the school year.

In August 2023, I began a new chapter by entering pharmacy school—a huge milestone that brought excitement and fresh challenges. I found each day rewarding but tough, and Rylan was there every step of the way, cheering me on and offering encouragement when I needed it most. Our already busy schedules filled up even more. Still, we made sure to talk on the phone every night, staying connected even through the busiest days.

January 1, 2024, became an unforgettable day in our story. While on a cruise with Rylan's family, Rylan had a surprise plan in place that I didn’t suspect at all. The cruise featured “elegant” nights, where everyone dressed up for dinner, so getting dressed up was nothing out of the ordinary. Rylan had spent the cruise sneaking away to finalize every detail, from picking the perfect spot to arranging a photographer. He even ensured that I could FaceTime my family to share the moment right away. The day itself was windy and rainy. Rylan suggested we go watch the sunset together. With a little convincing, I agreed, and am so glad I did. In that special moment, as the waves rolled and the wind blew, Rylan got down on one knee and asked me to marry him—making January 1st a day we'll cherish forever.

August 2024 brought even more excitement when Rylan received the news that he’d been accepted into medical school at the University of Minnesota—a dream come true. Now, we both are on the path toward our dream careers, even if it meant the distance between us grew longer and our schedules busier than ever. We might not get to see each other every week, or even every other week, but we’ve come to cherish every moment that we do have together, never taking any of it for granted. We remind each other that this season of distance is only temporary, and we’ve grown stronger, finding the goodness in each situation. Life without each other is unimaginable, and we can’t wait for the day when our “forever” officially begins.