First we met, then met again. Ryan and Brad had a brief courtship on the dating app Hinge, but things fizzled out, as they sometimes do online. Then, thanks to grace or dumb luck, we both independently joined a kickball league that randomly assigned us to teams — and we met again! In spite of dating apps, love found a way, and the rest, as they say, is history.

One thing that we’ve cherished about our engagement is the opportunity to create our own traditions that speak to who we are. We chose to exchange matching watches rather than a ring and make space for each of us to create a proposal moment for the other. Two surprises, two experiences, and many more memories. Ryan surprised Brad at the Garfield Park Conservatory with a proposal by letter, in keeping with their love for nature and the written word. The following week, Brad surprised Ryan with a scavenger hunt around our home with clever hints and touching notes along the way. Brad then returned us to the cafe and bookstore and spice shop where we had our first date. Winter gardens, brief letters, decent coffee, better spices, puzzles that are just hard enough, shared books, joint exploration — we couldn’t be more excited for what comes next.