How We Met

Our story started in August 2018 at an Old Chicago near Allie's apartment. Ryan, who had moved to Colorado from Illinois three years earlier, was working there that day, unknowingly setting the stage for something we never expected. We didn’t exchange many words that first time, but we quickly realized we had a shared love for a lot of the same music, and it turns out we had even been at several of the same shows around Denver before we even knew each other.

A Second Encounter

A few weeks later, Allie found herself back at that same restaurant after work, and Ryan happened to be there again. Despite the nerves, something between us just felt right. Ryan, without being too obvious, would wander close by or linger near the bar, finding reasons to chat with the bartender serving me. It didn't take long for Allie to gather the courage to approach him after his shift. And after a little conversation, he invited her to stay for a drink. What followed was hours of talking and laughing, getting to know each other in a way that felt like we'd known each other for much longer.

Building a Life Together

As the weeks turned into months, we spent more and more time together — from catching concerts at Red Rocks and local venues around Colorado to playing pool at dive bars, exploring the mountains, and visiting Ryan’s family in Illinois. Soon enough, we were inseparable. Our connection deepened, and our shared love for life was something we just couldn’t get enough of.

Cabo's Arrival

In June 2019, Ryan made Allie’s long-awaited dream come true with a little bundle of joy — Cabo. We had been talking about getting a dog for months, and after watching a few dogs through Rover, we knew it was time to make it official. We adopted our goofy, lovable companion, and Cabo quickly became a permanent part of our lives, joining us on nearly every adventure since.

Adventures Together

Our time together has been filled with adventures — big and small. From visiting family in Illinois and Missouri to exploring Costa Rica with Allie’s family, or even taking a spontaneous road trip to Wyoming in hopes of catching the Northern Lights, we’ve made countless memories we’ll always treasure. We’ve also had unforgettable trips to Seattle to visit Allie’s aunt and to San Diego to celebrate Allie’s birthday — just a few of the many moments that have shaped our journey.

What We Love

We find joy in the simple things — whether it's enjoying a meal at our favorite spots like Odyssey, a family-owned Italian gem in a Victorian house, or grabbing Baja-inspired tacos and tequila at North County, which became a go-to for us after bonding over our shared love of tequila during our first meeting in 2018. We also love getting lost in live music, especially bluegrass, jam bands, and electronic music, with Red Rocks being one of our all-time favorite venues. With so many great shows happening year-round in Colorado, we never run out of opportunities to experience live music. Hiking in the mountains is another one of our favorite pastimes, often with Cabo by our side. From road trips to Glenwood Springs during the fall, to camping near the Sand Dunes for Allie’s birthday, or visiting family in Missouri and Illinois, Cabo has been right there with us every step of the way. We're grateful for the many memories we've made with our friends and family who mean the world to us.

A Proposal Under the Northern Lights

In February 2024, we set off on a trip to Poland to visit Ryan’s father, followed by a journey to Finland, where we hoped to finally witness the Northern Lights — something Allie had dreamed of seeing after missing them on two previous occasions. What Allie didn’t know was that Ryan had secretly planned to propose beneath the Auroras, if the skies would cooperate. With unwavering faith, Ryan kept his plan a secret throughout the trip. On our final night in Finland, under the magical glow of Saariselka, the Northern Lights appeared in all their splendor. In that breathtaking moment, Ryan dropped to one knee, and Allie, overcome with emotion, said yes — marking the beginning of our next chapter beneath the beauty of the night sky.

Our Forever Begins

As we look forward to our wedding day, we can’t wait to start this next chapter of our lives together and share our happiness with all of you. It’s been a journey full of love, adventure, and countless memories, and we’re so excited to see what the future holds.

With love,

Allie & Ryan

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