Kelly and Ryan's story began on July 9, 2022 while they were both traveling on the Oasis of the Seas. Kelly was vacationing with family and her best friend, Alicia, while Ryan was celebrating his recent college graduation with three of his closest friends. Neither of them had any idea how much their lives would change that week.

The two met by chance when, after a night of drinking and dancing, a mutual friend invited them (and about 50 other people) to meet at one of the ship's hot tubs. They all had to go back to their rooms to change first, and as fate would have it, four of them (Kelly, Alicia, Ryan, and his best friend, Nick) ended up at the wrong hot tub. Not realizing their mistake at first, they all started talking. It wasn't long before Kelly and Ryan realized that they had a real connection. In fact, at one point that night, Kelly texted her mom and said, "I think I just met my husband." After that, Kelly and Ryan were inseparable for the rest of the week.

Although Ryan was cruising for the first time, Kelly had sailed numerous times and knew that "cruise flings" rarely work in the real world. So, when she nervously asked Ryan if they could see each other again after the cruise ended, she was surprised when he replied, "How about in two weeks?" That was the start of many trips between NY and NC until Ryan eventually relocated to NC permanently.

Since they met on a cruise, it was only fitting that Ryan surprised Kelly the following year by showing up on her mom's 60th birthday cruise and proposing. Ryan was supposed to be spending time with his family in NY while Kelly was traveling, so she was shocked when she walked into her parents' cabin and found Ryan standing there, holding a small wooden box, and smiling at her. Before she knew what was happening, Ryan was down on one knee proposing. That moment was one of pure joy. Of course, Kelly's answer was a resounding, "Yes!"

As they eagerly anticipate their wedding day on May 31, 2025, Kelly and Ryan's hearts are overflowing with happiness and gratitude, and they cannot wait to celebrate their love with family and friends. This is just the beginning of their story. Here's to the start of a beautiful life together.