Our story began in April, 2015.

The setting: A packed living room for a GOT watch party, Parkland WA.

Shay's first impression of Ryan: "That is the most gorgeous man I have ever seen. Who is he?!"

Ryan's first impression of Shay: "She looks like she would get me in trouble."

-----

From April to June, they met up weekly in this packed living room to watch GOT. No moves were made. No words were spoken between them.

But it was full of people who would become their life long friends and who wouldn't let them side-step each other for much longer.

Shay and her friend Caitlin were going to spend the 4th of July weekend at her Aunt Julie and Uncle Tom's property in Shelton. The boys got the invite and everyone packed up their cars with one tent, sleeping bags, and a deflating air mattress.

30 minutes before they all hit the road,..

Reggie, once again, came through with the "Yo, Murry. Are you doing anything for the 4th of July? Want to come?". Ryan casually said "Sure" and ran off to get his sleeping bag.

Shay had no idea this interaction occurred. The next thing she knew, this gorgeous guy who still had never said a word to her was walking down the road carrying a sleeping bag. The first words he ever said to her was, "So, what car am I riding in?"

Shay was so flustered that as she drove the lead car, she turned onto i5 North instead of i5 South. A blunder noticed by EVERYONE.

The weekend was filled with laughs, lawn games, and a low-tide volley ball game. The boys even caught a gooey duck with their bare hands.

While this was all going on, Ryan and Shay started getting lost in conversations with each other. Shay got to know the more relaxed and silly side of Ryan underneath the dreamy looks. Ryan noticed how genuine Shay was and admired how she interacted with her friends and family. "She was beautiful." Ryan made up his mind that he couldn't leave the weekend without making an impression on her.

The weekend came to an end and the fireworks were dying down over the water. The boys were saying their goodbyes on the beach. Ryan hung back and saved his last hug goodbye for Shay.

But instead...there was a brief unexpected kiss from Ryan. Shay was holding a slice of pizza in one hand and wine in the other, totally unprepared. Before she could comprehended what happened, he was running towards the car shouting that he'd call her over his shoulder.

The following months were a blur but Shay and Ryan continued to "somehow" cross each other's paths.

Garrett put Ryan's number in Shay's phone. Ryan "somehow" became the goalie of an inter-mural soccer team Shay played on. He also began going to the place Shay would frequent every Wednesday to listen to live music with her friends, wisely always coming with tacos in hand.

Eventually in March 2016, Ryan asked her on a date and took her to a little restaurant in Seattle called Shay's Place. There was a lounge in the back so they decided to get a drink but quickly learned it was karaoke night as a bus pulled up. The room went from empty to packed with folks from a retirement home dressed to the nine (tassels and all) ready to bring their A-game on stage.

Shay joked that they should sing, saying "I'll sing if you sing." Ryan called Shay's bluff and stepped on stage.

He serenaded the crowed and had the front table of ladies (about 80+ years old) hooting and hollering at his rendition of John Denver's "Leaving on a Jet Plan." He got off the stage, winked, and told Shay it was now her turn. Shay nervously mumbled George Jone's "Tennessee Whiskey" with Ryan grinning at her from ear to ear.

This mentality continued as time went on. They pushed each other to chase new adventures, live in the moment, and be each other's #1 supporter.

Over the years, Shay and Ryan continue to grow as best friends and make memory after memory.

Ryan achieved his dream of going to medical school so he left to Utah. For a year, they navigated the distance until Spring Break, 2024.

At Captain Whidbey, Ryan and Shay stood alone below the Inn. It was completely dark, but they had navigated their way down the beach. Just another one of their adventures.

All Shay could hear was the sound of the waves on the shore and Ryan's voice as he said he had a question for her and asked, "Will you marry me?".

It was an easy "Yes, of course."

And now we can't wait to celebrate with you as we step into our officially married era.