Dani + Ryan

How We Met

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Ryan and Dani met as freshman athletes at Trinity College in 2009. During sophomore year, Ryan spent months gathering the courage to ask Dani out and frequently consulted mutual friends for advice on building up a rapport with Dani. Ryan’s interest in Dani was the worst kept secret among friends and Dani, in typical fashion, was the only one oblivious. Once he finally did ask Dani out, 9 wonderful years of love and laughter ensued.

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The Proposal

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On September 16, 2018, Ryan and Dani drove with two close friends up to Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury, MA. Ryan led the group to the highest hill with the best view and began his speech. Hands shaking, he got down on one knee and proposed. Of all his heartfelt words, the ones Dani remembers most are, “We’ve known each other for a quarter of our lives and I want to be with you for the rest of mine. Dani Isaman, will you marry me?” He opened the ring box, and the sun illuminated the ring so beautifully that Dani’s first response was, “sparkles!” followed quickly by, “absolutely, yes!” They kissed, laughed, and basked in their joy with a glass of champagne.

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After picking their apples from the orchard, Ryan suggested that the gang drive to the Boston Public Garden, a place of special importance to Dani and one she visits every day. Beaming ear to ear, they walked through the garden until Dani saw her mother and younger sister sitting on a park bench. Dani was already overjoyed by seeing them, and then Ryan asked her to look around. She looked up to her favorite people emerging from their hiding places in the garden – her father had flown in from Ohio, her older sister and brother-in-law from Colorado, and two of her best friends from New York. The newly engaged couple was met with wide smiles, big hugs, and teary eyes.

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Finally, the group decided to walk to a nearby bar where Dani had thrown Ryan his first surprise party years ago. Upon entering, they were met with a heap of yelling and applause – noise levels that can only come from the Burgess family. Family and closest friends celebrated with drinks, snacks and so many laughs deep into the night. Ryan and Dani don’t think they had ever felt more loved than on this day. It was perfect.