Regina and Ryan met in 2005 at the beginning of their college years at Ohio University, the world's greatest institution of higher learning. Initially, Regina had her reservations about Ryan, but soon a great friendship blossomed. This friendship included days studying for tests in Alden Library, "Slice Nights" at Courtside, movie nights, and countless nights blaring Dave Matthews Band and partying at one (or several) of Court Street's fine establishments. Sparks flew a few times during this time spent together in Athens, and while Regina was pretty sure there was more to their relationship than "just friends", it took Ryan a little while to get up to speed. Following Physical Therapy school, Regina moved to Chicago where Ryan was living and it was here that Ryan came to his senses. After MANY years testing Regina's patience, Ryan finally made it official and asked her to be his girlfriend at Vaughn's Pub on St. Patrick's Day 2013. Best friends in love ever since.

Regina woke up that morning suspecting nothing. She went on with her usual Saturday morning routine; coffee, gym, grocery store - wanting to have all of her chores done in time to go to the bar for beers and the big game. Ryan, whose excitement had woken him at 5am, had other plans for the day. Ryan’s best friend - and now Best Man, Martin, was in town for the weekend. Ryan told Regina that he and Martin were going to go grab some drinks with a friend. Regina would meet up with them for the game. On her way to meet them at the bar, Ryan's sister, Erin, texted to see if they had time to meet her, Kevin, and the kids at the park since “they were in the city that afternoon”. Regina, not wanting to miss any of the game, nor dressed for the park, reluctantly rerouted her Uber to the park. Little did Regina know, this was all part of an elaborate plan that had been unfolding since the very beginning of the day. Erin and the kids were not at the park and Ryan and Martin had never gone to the bar. Instead, they had been pacing around the park in the cold for hours, waiting for Regina to get ready so Ryan could ask the question Regina had been waiting years to hear. When Regina arrived at the park Ryan greeted her at the entrance. Temporarily thrown off by wedding photos that were being taken nearby, Ryan led Regina around the park, presumably looking for the kids. As they began circling back toward the park entrance, Regina became suspicious. Where were the kids!? What were they doing there?! And that’s when it happened! Ryan found the perfect spot and lowered to his knee while Martin sneakily shifted through the bushes snapping great photos. Ryan told Regina they had to hurry home because he was taking her out for drinks and dinner. When they arrived at the restaurant the hostess opened a door to a private room and Regina and Ryan's families, Martin, Krissy, and Doug were all there to surprise Regina! The perfect celebration to kickoff this new phase of their life!