#NicksNeedforSpeed

We met via an online dating site (Match.com). We both had paid for more than a month; so we were aware each other "meant business" when it came to this whole dating thing. Since we lived on opposite sides of San Jose at the time, Nick planned out a date that was "in between" our locations. Ryan thought it was really nice (and a very good sign) that he was taking initiative and actually planning a date. He even took into consideration that we had talked about a shared interest in wine; so it was at a wine tasting spot near Fremont. Nick was adorably shy, but as the date and conversation went on, Ryan could see he was relaxing and loosening up a bit. We connected instantly about our shared love of Disney and dancing. There was no awkwardness or lulls in conversation. By the end of the date we both knew we wanted to see each other again.

One of Ryan's favorite places is the Beach. She calls it her "Happy Place" (one of them anyway). Nick knew two things for sure 1) he wanted it to be a complete surprise and 2) he wanted to propose on the beach. On Friday, when Nick got home from work, Ryan casually mentioned wanting to take Shuri for a walk on the beach; instantly Nick was excited and said "Perfect!" We generally walk all the way down as far as we can go one end, then walk back. On the walk back toward where we parked, Nick pretended he spotted a sea shell that looked good (Ryan was collecting at the time) while Ryan was walking slightly ahead of Nick. Ryan is utterly confused looking around, then when she turned around, Nick was on one knee, with the ring cleverly tied to a ribbon in a sea shell. The rest as they say is History!