How it all began
It is fair to say Ryan and Emily’s love story isn’t one from the movies. Their eyes didn’t meet and it wasn’t instantly true love. In fact, before they officially met, Ryan specifically remembers seeing her from afar and pointing out how he would never go near her…
“I heard an accent that was unfamiliar to me. I was instantly drawn to the Manc with a man bun.”
— Emily, 2014
“She asked one of the football girls if her armpit smelt - I thought she must be a lesbian.”
— Ryan, 2014
Ryan and Emily met at the University of Gloucestershire back in 2014. When introduced to her new strength and conditioning coach, Emily was very interested. As a fourth year, she used her power wisely and instructed 70+ netball girls that none of them should go near him. Strangely, they listened, and despite Ryan’s interesting flirting techniques, they all played by the rules. Ryan wasn’t the only one hearing no, but you can ask Josh, one of the ushers about that.
With limited options available, Ryan eventually turned his attention to Emily. After several drunken nights out, dancing to Frozen in Fever, flirting in the library and numerous bacon sandwiches in the microflat, the two made it official at the start of 2015.
Turns out they both liked each other more than they originally planned.
Trips to each other’s home towns became regular and it was in 2016 the pair had both completed their degrees and decided to move up to sunny Manchester with their bunny Blackjack.
After renting for five years, they spontaneously decided to buy a house one weekend and ended up moving to Congleton on Valentine’s Day 2020. The most romantic date for the least romantic couple.
It was also in 2020, Emily convinced Ryan that their family needed to grow.
Bilbo, the gender neutral cat, joined the family.
And the rest is history
Fast forward a few years and a few lockdowns, Ryan surprised Emily on her 30th birthday with a trip back to Hilton Head, the island where she completed her placement year. It holds a very special place in her heart, but now it has meaning to them both. On 2nd September 2023, the miracle happened. Ryan finally got down on one knee after eight and a half years. After checking if her dad had been asked, Emily said yes.
