In the next several years to follow, Ryan and Angela would embark on a plethora of adventures, hobbies, and new experiences together abroad and on the home front. Their cravings for exploration lead them through the northern forests on ATVs, hiking the mighty forests among Marquette, and zip-lining through the tree-tops of the Smokey Mountains in Tennessee. Here they discovered a love for the beauty and tranquility of forest greenery that has become a source of comfort they return to often.

Hiking through the trails of Michigan's parks is what inspired them to venture into the worlds of trail running and mountain biking. They started out by running together in their neighborhoods and local parks, and have graduated to running 5Ks regularly with plans to keep training. Last summer, they committed to compete together in at least one organized race every single month, and are proud that they've kept the streak alive! They keep their medals on the wall at home as reminders of the joy and growth their hard work is bringing them.

Ryan and Angela also love live music! Some of Ryan's favorite memories with Angela are sitting on the grassy hill of Pine Knob music theater listening to Eddie Money and others open up the venue for the season. Several years into their relationship, Angela introduced Ryan to the fun of playing live music too, when she asked if he'd join her to play in the local Clarkston Community Band with which she's played for many years. It makes them very happy to share their passion for playing with others, and to contribute back by serving on the board. If you didn't know, Angela has played the clarinet since 6th grade, and Ryan took up drums and percussion!

After all of this adventuring Ryan and Angela decided it was time to expand their family...with an orange cat!

A short time after agreeing they were interested in raising a cat, Angela discovered a new resident at the animal shelter where she previously worked. She immediately called Ryan to tell him to put down whatever he was doing and get over there ASAP. On March 23rd, 2022, they adopted Peaches James ("PJ"). The shelter had originally named him "Mason", because he was found wandering the city streets with an empty mason jar stuck over his head!

Later the next year, Ryan and Angela bought their first house! Albeit an enigmatic combination of stress and delight, home ownership opened the door for them to explore an entirely new world of interests and responsibilities. After a celebratory night out, they dove head-first into navigating their way through basic DIY renovations to transform the house they purchased into their very own home. (All this with a great deal of help from family and friends!)

After months of laborious nights and weekends, they'd worked up quite a hunger. Even though macaroni and cheese and PB&Js will always hold a place in Ryan's heart, they decided to try their hands at the culinary craft. Angela prefers baking delicious treats for Ryan to steal while she's not looking, and Ryan has taken to just about anything he can put on the grill or fry up in a skillet skillet for a delicious king-sized hot breakfast.

Wait... is that a second orange cat? TWO ORANGE BOYS??? ARE THEY CRAZY?? No, they're not crazy, they've been chosen. In June of 2023, they adopted Squid (f.k.a. "Milo") from a mutual friend at Clarkston Community Band! That last picture captures his personality pretty well.

Shortly before Christmas, 2023, Ryan asked Angela if she would join him on a late-evening walk through Glenlore Trails - a visual-effect-laden nature trail near to their home. As they walked, Ryan fidgeted with the ring he held in the pocket of his peacoat, trying to figure out where the best place would be to ask the most important question while not stirring up suspicion of his plan. Glowing forest mushrooms... that's it! As he lowered down on one knee and the nearby couples began to squeal with surprise of what they were about to witness, it took Ryan everything he had to not mix up his words (or drop the ring) as he carefully removed it from his pocket. A shining silver band, centered with a beautiful diamond as bright as her smile (ethically obtained, don't worry ;D), surrounded by sapphires of the deepest blue, Angela's favorite color. Ryan became the happiest, luckiest man alive that day.

The end! Or should I say, the beginning... Thanks for reading our story! We really hope you can join us to celebrate, and we can't wait to see you there!