A Love Story: From California to Montana

It all started back in 2015. I was living in California, just going about my life when my cousin Megan decided to play matchmaker. She introduced me to Ryan, who was just returning from being stationed in Germany with the Air Force. At first, I didn’t know what to expect—after all, I’d never met anyone quite like him. But little did I know, that meeting would change my life forever.

Our first date was at Carrows, a casual spot, but one that would set the stage for so much more. The evening was full of laughter, light conversation, and an undeniable connection. But, of course, we couldn’t resist having a little fun—so we prank called Megan, pretending to be frustrated with her for setting us up. It was silly, but it felt so natural. From that moment, I knew Ryan and I had something special.

Then came the challenge: Ryan had to move to New Mexico for his next posting. Our relationship quickly turned long distance, and for about two and a half years, we navigated the ups and downs of being apart. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth every minute, as our bond only grew stronger with each passing day.

Eventually, we made the move to Florida together, and life in the Sunshine State felt like a dream. The beaches, the warm weather—it was everything we’d hoped for. We were surrounded by the sound of the ocean, the scent of sunscreen, and the joy of each other’s company. Our two dogs, Kenny and Zoey, and our two cats, Scaps and Zee, became our little family. We loved spending time with them, whether it was going on walks with Zoey or cuddling up with Scaps and Zee during movie nights.

We found a rhythm in our relationship, spending our summers outside, savoring the sunshine, and enjoying good food and even better company. Sundays were our time to bond, especially when it came to cleaning together while blasting our favorite music. It didn’t matter that I was a city girl and Ryan was an outdoorsy country boy—we embraced the differences, and somehow, our opposites seemed to attract in the best way possible.

And now, here we are, in Montana, surrounded by family and our beloved animals. It’s a new chapter in our story, and while the landscape has changed, the love we share has only grown stronger. Whether it’s taking Zoey for walks, or curling up with Scaps and Zee to watch Hell’s Kitchen and comedy movies, we know we’ve found our home—not just in the place, but in each other.

We’ve come a long way from that first prank call in Carrows, but through every adventure and every challenge, we’ve learned that love, no matter where it takes us, is always worth the journey.