I never thought I would be one to meet my future husband this way, but I met Ryan after following him on Instagram. He ‘followed’ me back and ‘slid into my DMs’ (can’t believe I am using this slang) after I referenced one of our favorite movies (we love the National Lampoon’s Vacation series).  

Ryan and I had a lot in common, but the first mutual love of ours has to be fishing.  

Our first-time fishing together, Ryan took me to the Uncompahgre River in Colorado. It was New Year’s Day; there was one foot of snow on the ground, and the temperature was 1 degree, with a windchill well below zero. He laughs and says he thought I would break up with him after that —but, I had one of the best days of my life despite freezing the entire time.  

Fishing was something I always did with my late dad. One of the last places we fished frequently together was Pyramid Lake, here in Nevada. While I went to school in Reno, I often set my alarm for 5 a.m. on the weekends just to spend the morning fishing with him on his boat.  

The first summer Ryan and I dated, he wasted no time getting my dad’s boat serviced and ready for the water. It meant so much to me that he wanted to help me get the boat running and get it out on the water again. And he did it because he knew how much it meant to me. Now, taking the boat out on the weekends is one of our favorite pastimes. 

For my last birthday, Ryan surprised me with a fly-fishing trip to Pyramid Lake. Now it’s safe to say we will make it an annual trip. Ryan always lets me tell my most fond memories of my dad, and they come to me often. We both wish Ryan could have met my dad, but Ryan once said he feels as though he knows him through me and the stories I share.  

Ryan proposed to me, just me and him, on Christmas Day last year. I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. I feel so fortunate to have met Ryan, and I am so excited to spend the rest of my life with my best friend doing all the things we love!