We're getting married!

We met in the Shark Lab at CSULB in the Summer of 2014, Sarah was an undergraduate volunteer and Ryan was just starting his master’s degree. At first, we didn't interact much, but Ryan was determined to change that. One day when we were both in the lab, one of the other graduate students came over and asked Sarah if she was still available to help him in the field on Saturday. Now, this type of fieldwork was not particularly fun, it was a long day on the boat scrubbing gear, and it was not something other graduate students were eager to help with. After Sarah said she was available to help, the student went back over to his desk and a few minutes later Sarah overheard Ryan ask him if he needed any extra help on the boat on Saturday... and that's when Sarah knew Ryan was in love with her. Just kidding, it wasn't love... yet! That Saturday we spent the whole day flirting with each other and we both went home that night knowing there was something special between us. Shortly after that, we had our first date at the Aquarium of the Pacific where we spent the day “under the sea” and got competitive about our knowledge of fish. We went out for Italian food (of course) and we didn’t know it then, but that was the beginning of our love story. Over the next few years, we fell in love in the Shark Lab, first in secret, exchanging glances when (we thought) no one was looking; then, not so secretly after our advisor caught Ryan off guard revealing he knew about our relationship. We took a leap of faith together and moved to Miami in 2017 to start graduate school. We have spent the last five years building a life together in Miami, we have traveled the world together (and apart) and we continue to support each other unconditionally. In December 2020, we got engaged in the very lab where we met and fell in love six years prior. We can’t wait to take this next step in our relationship and marry each other in a beautiful place surrounded by our beautiful family and friends. We hope to see you all in Malibu next year! Love, Sarah & Ryan