Our Story

I'm sure many of you have heard the story of how Ryan and I met, but for those of you who don't know, here is "Our Story"

Ours is a story of serendipity. It all started with a simple English class, and a teacher who will be forever thanked. Ryan and I met in our Advanced Writing Class at BYU during the winter semester of 2007. Part of our class that semester was a research project that consisted of student polling. Our teacher, Pam Johstoneaux, in order to facilitate ease in this project, grouped students with similar majors. Lucky for Ryan and I (Latin American Studies and Spanish), that put us in the same group, and we soon discovered a common love for the Spanish language. As a group, we spent the semester preparing and polling students about BYU's Honor Code, and their attitudes towards men's facial hair. Needless to say, it was quite interesting.

As the semester came to a close, and the summer began, Ryan and I parted ways as acquaintances and friends for separate parts of the world; Ryan on a grant to do independent research in Chile, and me for a Senate internship in Washington DC.

While traveling during the summer, and as luck would have it, we communicated via the internet. We shared pictures and stories of our experiences and got to know each other better. Ryan shared his fascinating cultural experiences from the icy Chilean winter, while I shared stories of the political scene from the hot and sticky Washington summer. Our friendship grew slowly, and fortuitous occasions arose. After returning from Chile, Ryan called me (first while trying to call his mom - his phone screen was cracked), and we were able to talk more, and get to know each other a little more. We decided to enroll in another class together, this time a Spanish class, a decision for which we will be eternally grateful.

As the fall picked up, Ryan and I found excuses to spend more time together. In invited him to attend the season opening football game on September 1st. I got into town a couple days before that, and had decided to fix up my room at my new apartment. The morning of the game, Ryan called and asked about the plans. I mentioned that I would be painting my room, and immediately he asked if I would like some help. That day was wonderful! We painted together, then went to lunch (at La Dolce Vita), and cheered on our Cougars!


September was an eventful month in our friendship. we discovered that our Spanish class was really great, and that we were lucky enough to have a similar schedule. We spent hours after class in the library, and have to admit, that we didn't get much studying done (as can be seen from the picture above). We celebrated the Chilean Independence Day (September 18th) by eating empanadas and churrascos and by watching Chileans dance the traditional dance of Chile, the Cueca.


With a growing friendship, Ryan and I enjoyed the fall by finding unique activities. We drove to Springville and visited a small farm with llamas and a few emu.



The pictures above show Ryan attempting to feed the 'friendly looking' llama as well as one in which I was almost attacked by an emu. At the beginning of October, we attended General Conference, and I was fortunate enough to meet his family. My birthday was at the end of October, and I threw a reunion for my intern buddies. I asked Ryan if he would like to come, and he did! And, he gave me the most wonderful present, a bamboo plant! I had wanted one for so long, and I was so happy! He also gave me chocolate covered cinnimon bears - a vice from which both of us suffer. For Halloween, Ryan invited to me to his ward FHE at the Thanksgiving Point corn maze, and his ward party. I had a lot of fun getting to know him in a group setting during this time, and we even decided to throw our own Halloween Party!

Just before Thanksgiving, Ryan held my hand for the first time! It was November 14th, to be exact. We had gone to a BYU Basketball game at the Marriot Center, and we were walking back to his apartment. I put my arm through his as a gesture of interest, and then he held my hand. A couple days later I flew to Florida for Thanksgiving, but before I left, Ryan gave me a book, CD, and treat to keep me company on the plane and the trip. It was the first time in a few months in which we had not seen each other everday, and I think it was a small realization for both of us. The next week, he picked me up from the airport, and we stayed the rest of the weekend at his parents' house in Farmington. Together we cheered on our Cougars, and reveled in their victory! Later I found a picture that we both loved, and hey, if the shoe fits, right?


After Thanksgiving, we spent some time participating in Christmas activities. We saw the lights at Temple Square and drove aroud various neighborhoods looking for Christmas lights. We walked around downtown Provo, and attended the First Presidency's Christmas Devotational.


We made Gingerbread Houses, played in the snow, and don't forget watching Ryan's favorite movie, 'Elf' about a thousand times! We were spending more and more time together, and although I don't remember exactly when, I asked Ryan if he would like to come to Tucson for New Year's. My family lives there, and I really wanted him to meet my parents. It was a bold gesture, but I wanted him to know that I cared about him, and that he was welcome. He said yes, and we looked forward to a warm 'Holiday Season' in Tucson.

Christmas break separated us shortly, but having Ryan in Tucson for New Year's was a wonderful decsision! We had fun in Tucson, and took walks in the desert, but the best part was New Year's Eve in Nogales, Mexico. He, my little brother, Nathan, and I drove 2 hours south of Tucson to a border town, and ate the most wonderful Mexican food EVER at a little place called "La Roca".


After coming back from Christmas break, Ryan and I started spending more time together, and on January 5th, we had our first kiss! It took a little while, but I was grateful that things had gone slowly, and that we had built our friendship. For Martin Luther King Jr. Day, his family took me snowmobiling, it was intesense! I really enjoyed it, although at the time I was praying with everything I had! It's scary when it's your first time operating machinery like that!


School became hectic, we applied for internships, jobs, and other activities, and February came around. Valentine's Day 2008 was the turning point in our lives. Ryan and I had decided to go out that night. He showed up with the most gorgeous pink roses and yellow hydrangeas! He even had more flowers - gladiolus (my favorite) in the car! The note with the flowers was precious, and told me I was his best friend. It was nice, it was meaningful, and my heart was about to burst. He took me to the first place where he remembers getting to know me: "La Dolce Vita". It was wonderful, the fairytale Valentine's, but that was only the beginning. With so many options present in our futures, it caused both of us to think about the future. That night, we talked about the future, and the options that were presented to us. We talked for hours, and we shared some of most inner thoughts. The conversation turned into an expression of feelings, and for the first time, we both said "I love you." We talked about the desire both of us had to be with the other person, and we both expressed the same thought: marriage. Wow. Neither of us had been thinking about bringing that up, but naturally the topic had arisen.

The next few weeks were a whirlwind, and on March 8, 2008, Ryan officially proposed. It was sweet, thoughtful, and touching. I was in shock, and still thinking about the days that conclude our engagement, and I consider myself the luckiest girl in the world. He is charming, thoughtful, and kind. He is a man of honor who respects others and that which is spiritual. He is an example and a friend; my best friend. I am honored that in 16 days I get to marry him, and I cannot wait to begin our life together!