we are tying the knot!

We were both biology majors at Whitworth University. Although we had 2 years of classes together, we only officially met in Dr. Putzke's molecular genetics lab in the summer. The very first day in the lab, we went frolfing (frisbee golfing) with Dr. Putzke, and of course, Lisa 'won'. As we became closer friends, we got to share our lives together more intimately and met each other's friends and families. Lisa fell in love with Ryan's parents pretty much straight away (who doesn't?) and immediately felt very known and loved by Tim and Deanna. Lisa's mom and grandmother were both absolutely smitten by Ryan's charm. Ryan is always so eager to learn about Lisa's culture and language. He would also try to communicate with Lisa's family with the Vietnamese phrases he learned on Duolingo and Lisa's grandmother was absolutely swooned by his pronunciation. We made it official on July 28th, 2019 and we have been inseparable ever since.

Ryan surprised Lisa with the sweetest, most thoughtful, and the absolute BEST proposal at the Gaiser Conservatory in Manito Park. This is a place that holds so many memories that we will hold so closely and dearly to our hearts. Lisa could not stop crying the rest of our way home... only to be met with a surprise engagement party with all of our closest friends and family who were in Spokane at the time.

Ryan is in medical school and Lisa is in dental school at Loma Linda University in Southern California. We thank God everyday for this opportunity to pursue our passions in medicine at this institution, together as a team. More importantly, we are so lucky to be supported by the BEST of friends and families like YOU as we continue to write our story. Graduate school has been absolutely humbling, but also incredibly fulfilling, enriching, and fun! We love our new community and cannot wait to see what God has in store for us in the coming years :)