I always debate sharing our stories or special moments online but this is something that has shaped me and makes me who I am. I share so much about my life and our relationship is something we like to keep private. Let me tell ya though, so many of you love to hear about Ryan.  I have some of the best conversations on Instagram when I share or talk about Ryan.  Anyways, I think it is also very important to share because social media has this image that this is how a “perfect” relationship is or what it should be. Everyone’s story is a little different. Including ours.

When you know you know? i have always heard people say, “when you know, you know”, but what does that really even mean? Let me tell you a little bit about Ryan, our love story, and why it’s so special. I knew after our first date!

I met Ryan at a bar in Long Beach, CA – yup, a bar. I think it is a great way to meet a guy. Remember, talkin’ to y’all like you are my besties. After the first night together, we didn’t exchange phone numbers but we did exchange snap chats, aka 21st century. This guy was pretty persistent with the snap chats and trying to hold a conversation with me but I just wasn’t giving anyone the time of day. About a week later we got together and hung out with a group of friends and as soon as I laid eyes on him, I knew he was something pretty special. I wanted to know more. I wanted to talk to him. I wanted him to sit next to me. I was kinda giddy. We left and I was blowing up his snap chat now. So, he invited me to his Halloween party and the rest was history.

We went on our our first date, November 1st, 2015 to the golf range and I knew I wanted to be with him. I knew I could spend the rest of my life with him. It was so easy to make that decision. So yeah, when you know, you know. It’s so much more than that.

Love….It’s a choice to pick that person every single day for the rest of your life.   I do know that God put this man into my life for a special reason. I believe that whole heartedly. He is the most patient, understanding, kind, gentle, smart, hard working, determined, and loving person I know.

My life and choices have a lot to do with my family. Ryan and I both love our family and are such family people…can’t wait to have a family of our own one day.  But, having a brother who has a mental illness, this is very important. Ryan, has been so understanding and my person to lean on through this all. In the time we have been together, God has show me time and time again, why he has chosen Ryan for me.

Let me remind you, not every single day is glorious. We recently had to start doing long distance, which maybe I will do a blog post about. You have to wake up every morning and choose that person. You have to put in a lot of hard work because when times get tough, you have to know together, how you are going to get through it.