Boba and Tea is a quaint and colorful tea place in east Saint Paul. After a few days of texting novellas to each other after meeting on Bumble, Ryan and Briana decided to meet there to chat for a bit and enjoy some libations. They had planned for a short date, but they ended up talking for hours. Both parties were completely drawn to each other and many dates followed.

After just three weeks together Ryan told Bri that she was the person he was going to spend his life with. Bri knew shortly thereafter that she felt the same and that she never wanted to part from her love. During their relationship they talked about the values they both held regarding marriage. Bri had never really contemplated matrimony, but fate has a way of changing one's path. They discussed the notion of proposing, and they both had said they didn't care who proposed to whom. In fact, Ryan had said it would be nice if both parties could have a special moment where they asked the big question. So, two years to the day after meeting Ryan, Bri took the initiative. She enlisted two of her best friends, Trevor and Amy Clune to help her pull off a romantic proposal in the dead of winter. The trio planned and practiced together for the big leap, and it was executed flawlessly. Bri and Ryan dressed to the nines on their second anniversary. They visited locations that were significant to their relationship, including: Gold Medal Flour Park, Galactic Pizza, and Medicine Lake Beach. On the last stop at Medicine Lake, Trevor and Amy awaited in a hidden location. They set up a moonlit picnic with a thermos of hot chocolate, marshmallows, Bailey's and a plethora of tea lights that spelled out the words "Marry Me" in the sand. Bri and Ryan strolled casually on the beach until he noticed the proposal in the sand. When he noticed, Bri got down on one knee, presented an engagement band laden with space opals, and asked him to be her husband. He heartily accepted and they enjoyed their cups of cocoa on the beach until their friends joined them and went back to their apartment to celebrate with champagne.

Ryan and Bri both have a special place in their hearts for Duluth, MN. As children both of their parents took them to Duluth often. The welcoming waves and whimsical scenery were always a place of comfort. In April of 2021 the couple ventured up north to meet up with friends and enjoy the spring sun. Ryan took Bri to Brighton Beach Park, one of her favorite spots to sit on the rocks and put her feet in the water. The sun glistened atop the water and waves crashed gently over the stones. They sat down together and enjoyed the sound she cherished so much. Ryan began to take off his socks, and offered to join Bri who had placed her feet in the water, which was extremely frigid. Bri looked at him with shock - Ryan is a creature of warmth and light. She welcomed him warmly and they sat again together in peace, their feet becoming numb from the crystal clear water. Ryan professed his love for Briana, presented a gorgeous rose gold ring with London Blue Topaz and asked her to be his wife as both of their feet were still in the water. She tearily accepted his offer as he did hers months before. After, they went to VaBene to enjoy pasta and a celebratory bottle of wine.

We will have been together for nearly six years when we marry. In that time we have done many things. -Become best friends. -Survived shelter in place. -Traveled to Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, California, Honduras, Mexico, and Norway. -Chose our career paths. -Purchased our first home. -Turned 30. -Rescued a stray cat. We weren't in a hurry to get married. We have felt drawn together together for a very long time, and we felt like we had all the time in the world to say "I do." The time seems right now, and we want to share it with you all. Thank you for being a part of our love story.