Our Story
We have been good friends for so long now that it’s hard to remember that once upon a time we didn’t know each other. We met at work, soon learned that we had a similar sense of humor, and after a while, started hanging out together. As we got to be friends, and later more than friends, we realized we had a great many common interests… and much to learn from one another. We’ve introduced each other to new books; we’ve developed small houseplant jungles in our apartments; we’ve taught each other to love cooking. We’ve played Mario Party at Preston and Traci’s; we’ve made glow-in-the-dark headdresses at Kyle and Lea Ann’s; we’ve played Warcraft III until the wee hours of the morning at Matt and April’s; we’ve watched entire seasons of The Office at a time at Eric’s. We’ve drunk 100-oz hurricanes on Beale Street in Memphis; we’ve played Scrabble until there are no words left; we’ve spent hours walking the trails at the Nature Center. We’ve been there for each other through good times and bad, and we can’t wait to see what life will bring us.
How We Met
Brenda’s Version
I hadn’t been living in Springfield for very long when I noticed a job listing for a web developer at a local company. I applied, and was granted an interview. The day arrived, and I made my way to the office. The “receptionist desk”, as we called the desk closest to the door, was occupied by a guy working hard on a computer; when he noticed me, he looked up and growled out, “Whaddya want?” Taken aback, I replied that I had an interview; he gestured towards a table and chairs and tersely told me to wait. I interviewed, was hired, and avoided that cranky redhead at the front desk for a solid three weeks! As I got to know Ryan, I realized he wasn’t cranky at all, but that he had just been busy and was focused on his work. The rest, as they say, is history…
Ryan’s Version
I was working tech support on the front desk at an Internet firm during college. I get this clueless looking girl walking in the front door, who is apparently our new developer. I brusquely sent her back to report to whoever was in charge at the time, because I was really busy.
Not the most romantic of beginnings. But, over time, I learned that our new developer was actually an extremely intelligent, insightful, and generally fantastic person. Over the next few years, we were in various stages of relationships… but we eventually came together. I can look back now and say that we should have been together all along, but I think those intermediary periods have really defined our relationship and made it something special.
The Engagement
Brenda’s Version
Ryan had moved into a townhouse with Shawn, a mutual friend, so naturally, we needed to throw a party. I had had a hunch for a few weeks that Ryan might propose, but didn’t really expect anything that night; we got so busy cooking lots of party food and entertaining everyone that it didn’t occur to me that he actually seemed pretty nervous about something. I’d had a glass or two of wine, and by midnight I was tired and ready for everyone to go home. I stood to see one of the guests to the door, and when Ryan grabbed my arm I thought it was to keep me from bumping into the Chinese lanterns he and Shawn had hung up to help light the living room. It took my brain a while to catch up to the fact that he was kneeling and holding up a ring box! Cleverly, I slurred out, “Are you serious?” – classic, I know. The rest of the night is a bit of a blur, but I did manage to tell him that yes of course I would spend my life with him, and then burst into tears (always a great look in photographs!) and hugged everyone that had hung around to the end of the party at least five times. Nonetheless, being engaged to my best friend is the nicest feeling in the world, and I wouldn’t change that evening for anything.
Ryan’s Version
Geez, I was nervous. I had bought the ring some 2 months prior to when I actually popped the question, but finding the right time was tough. And then I got to thinking about our friends, and all the good times we’ve had with them, and how they’ve been a very big part of our lives. They’ve offered advice, played mediator, and generally been there for us. I figured the perfect way to propose would be to include the many people that have made our relationship what it is.
So, I threw a party. Brenda’s sister, Beth, had the ring for safekeeping, and smuggled it in the evening of the party. I spent most of the night with it in my back pocket… trying to decide when to propose. Eventually, the night was getting long, and I finally worked up the nerve. I dropped to one knee, and said it. I wish I’d had a tape recorder for her response – it was priceless. And thus concludes the summary of the best decision I’ve ever made.
