Our story:

Jill: I came back to SBC (the company Ryan and I both work for) in October of 2006. About a month later invitations went out for the company Ryantmas party. Even though I'd only met Ryan a few times in the past, I immediately decided to ask him to go to the party with me. I always thought he was a lot of fun. I didn't expect anything more than friendship, but I decided to send him an email. His response made me giddy, "It would be my pleasure". So for the next month I obsessed over what to wear and got excited about the party.

Ryan: The day of the party I was very nervous, it was kind of like a blind date except we sorta knew each other already. I went to the party a little early, and I have to say when Jill walked into the room, it took my breath away. We had such a good time at the party, talking, dancing, hanging out with everyone. I remember thinking to myself, this woman is amazing, she's beautiful, interesting, and intelligent, she's the whole package. Later that night we kissed, and the best part of my life started.

Jill: From that day on, Ryan and I were nearly inseparable. I was fascinated by him and the way I felt when he was near: safe, beautiful, confident. Everything is better when I'm with him. One of the first things I noticed when we started dating was that he listens so well and remembers everything I tell him. He became my absolute best friend. He drove from Pocatello to my parents' house in Idaho Falls on Ryantmas to spend time with my family and I. I was so touched by the way he joked with them and was so open to becoming great friends with them. That was the day I knew I wanted to always be with Ryan.

Ryan: For the next couple of months Jill and I were together whenever possible. I always wanted to be around her, and she around me. I started to think about my life without her in it, and that's when I knew that I wanted to be with Jill for the rest of my life. I started to think of how, where, when to ask her, it was a big task and I wanted to get things just right. In February for Valentines day I decided to give Jill and promise ring, I knew I wanted to marry her, but I needed some time to find an engagement ring and make the proposal special. We went down to Salt Lake City, on the way down I gave her the promise ring, and we had the best time ever!

Jill: Valentines Day was the best date of my entire life. Ryan took me to my favorite restaurant (P.F. Chang's) and then we rode through downtown Salt Lake on a horse drawn carriage ride. During our ride, one of the wheels fell off the carriage and the horse got spooked and started running. Ryan had to go back and get the wheel while I laughed hysterically. I couldn't believe how much fun we could have together...especially when things didn't go as planned. The next day we took my brother to sushi and came back home to Idaho.

Ryan: After that trip everything had come together and I knew that I would propose soon. I decided that I wanted to do it in Las Vegas, in June. I booked the hotel, and started to look for engagement rings. June seemed like a lifetime away, and I really really wanted to be engaged and start planning our wedding together. I had to go on a trip to Jacksonville Florida, and while I was down there I was told that the vacation I had requested in June was in conflict and that I would be unable to go. I was devastated! I immediately started to think of alternatives to Las Vegas, as it seemed that work was getting in the way of things. After some soul searching and some good advice from my Omi, I decided that I would propose on Easter Sunday... The Friday before I proposed I asked Jill's Mother and Father to dinner so that I could ask for their blessing. I was sooo nervous. I was more nervous asking them for their daughters hand, then asking her. I had no reason to be nervous, her parents were great, and gave me their blessing.

Jill: Ryan asked me on Saturday if I'd like to hike up Red Hill in Pocatello with him on Easter Sunday and watch the sun rise. Although I'm not a morning person, it sounded like a great idea and I told him I'd love to. On Sunday morning we hiked up to the Grecian-style pillars on top of the hill. We sat down and started talking. It was a cloudy day and soon it became clear that the sun was not going to come out. At 7 am chimes from the university sounded and Ryan said “ I have a present for you”. He took a large plastic Easter Egg out of his backpack and handed it to me. My first thought was that I hadn't gotten him an Easter present. I wondered if I was supposed to and started to feel horrible for being such an awful girlfriend. I opened the plastic egg and gasped when I saw the ring box. Ryan grabbed the box and said “Jill, I love you so much. Will you marry me?” I was so excited I just said “yes” over and over again. It was the most wonderful moment of my life so far.