We're Getting Married!

Jess's Story: In October of 2019, Sammy (maid of honor) and I planned a trip to visit a friend in Chandler, AZ. What we thought would be a fun girls weekend, turned out to be the weekend I met the boy I was going to spend the rest of my life with. Jay Olson, another great friend of mine, lived in Arizona at the time, and we had all planned a day to get together. Ryan was going to be there and all week beforehand, Jay kept sending me pictures of Ryan saying, "He is so cute." "Look at my cute friend." etc... I ignored him, per usual. :) I met up with Jay and his friends (and Ryan) and had a fun day hanging out. When it was time to go, Jay brought Ryan and me home. As we got closer to Ryan's house, and he hadn't asked for my number, I figured 'why not'...I'll ask him for his snap chat. We exchanged snaps. A few weeks went by and on Halloween, Ryan snapped me, "Happy Halloween!" I responded with the same. Then one night while I was out, Ryan snapped me again, and that was it....we have now talked every day since. Who knew the first guy I made the first move with would be MINE. :) I am so lucky! Ryan's Story: I met Jess through one of her home town friends, Jay. Jay and I met in med school my 3rd year. We instantly become good friends. I remember one day, we were hanging by the pool and he said, "Hey, one of my friends from back home is coming out to visit." I said okay let me see a picture of her. I thought she was cute. He sends a picture of me to her and she says "Hmmmm he looks short." Anyone that knows Jess knows that she speaks what's on her mind. She came to town a few weeks later and Jay arranged for us to all hang out. We decided to go to a local brewery and play games. She was drinking beer and eating cheesy pretzels. I already knew this is my type of girl! :) Later that day, we met up with some more friends and had a "couple" Busch Lights and went to a taco stand. As the evening was coming to an end, for I had to work the next morning, she slips her phone to me and she asks me to add me to her snapchat. A couple weeks have passed and I decide to snap Jess and see what that cute girl I met was up too. From that moment forward we have text and or called or facetimed everyday. Oh, and we still have an occasional Busch Light now and again. :)

Ryan had what medical residents call a "golden weekend" the weekend of September 16th. (Golden weekend means you get a rare weekend of both Saturday and Sunday off). He was also on clinic which means he get's that Friday off as well. Normally, when Ryan get's this opportunity to spend the weekend together we plan something fun; whether it is date night, go hiking, have someone come visit, etc. I really wanted my friends, Sammy and Dan to come visit that weekend and almost agreed to them coming,. Ryan, however, had this weekend wherein he planned to propose. He lied and said that his schedule might be changing. (1st little hint that something was up). Anyways, I brushed it off and a few more weeks went by and I kept asking Ryan, "What are we going to do 'golden' weekend, we have to do something fun." I kept getting the response, "IDK". If you know me, I am a big planner, so him not wanting to plan anything really bugged me. I am sure I had a lot of "nice" things to say to him LOL :) Thursday, September, 15th came around. We both went to work and after work, he said, "Well you better pack, we have a road trip to go on tomorrow." I knew immediately it was San Diego and that he was probably (hopefully) proposing! :) San Diego is one of our favorite destinations that we have been on together to this date, it is a special place for us. Friday morning came, we picked up a convertible that he rented for the weekend and made the drive to San Diego. (He was still trying to keep it a secret, but I am a tough one to trick :) ) We got to the hotel and had a few drinks and ordered an Uber to our favorite sunset place, Wind and Sea Beach. I secretly kept looking at his pockets for a ring box, but nope, nothing. I kept thinking...hmmm...... where is he keeping this ring. Once we got to the beach, he was stalling a bit, and I could tell he was a little nervous :) It was a gorgeous sunset and after it faded into the ocean, he got down on one knee and FINALLY proposed! We celebrated that night, enjoying sushi and wine, and keeping our engagement secret to ourselves, and of course our best friends :) The next day we facetimed our family and friends sharing the good news and showing them my new rock. :) We spent the rest of the weekend chasing sunsets, cruising in the convertible, and SO excited we finally got engaged. San Diego will always be a special place for us!