Ryan and Stephine’s story is not only unique, but endearing and heartfelt. It is best illustrated by the groom himself. Rather than leave their story to be told by others, we have asked the groom to provide us with the intimate details of his recollections of the happy couple’s meeting....alas, let his story begin...

January 6th, 2007

Earlier that week I had stopped for lunch at Ricardos. My lunch appointment was running a little behind, so I ducked into the office of Sara Ansara (better known as Ansara). We chatted and caught up on everyone at Chicago Title (Ansara used to work with me). Then something happened, out of nowhere, she said, "You have to meet my roommate". I said , "Ok, sure!! If we do anything this weekend, I will let you know". I said my goodbye, and enjoyed some of the best Mexican food ever!

Talk about a perfect day: Quality time with the boys (i.e., the dogs), listening to new music, a night of Runnin’ Rebel Basketball and time spent with my best friends. Unfortunately, the Rebs lost. Normally when the Rebels lose I don’t do anything except pout, but everyone wanted to go to Sierra Gold’s (a local pub) so I agreed to go. I remembered to text Ansara to let her know what we were doing. After a few minutes, she texted back, "We're in".

So there we were, Mike and Carrie Terrones, Kyle Christian, Kyle Hoffman, and Teresa Struve. We were having a jolly time drinking and laughing when SHE walked in. You know how in the movies, when everything seems blurry but when the girl walks in, she is in complete focus? True story, that happened. It was like everything around me just disappeared and we were in this huge room by ourselves and the only thing lighting it up was her smile. She and her good friend Sara Ansara sat down next to us and Ansara introduced us.

Stephine was adorable. She was wearing a cap on her head, a white Lacoste polo with the collar flipped up and brown pants (just my style). We immediately began talking like we had known each other our entire lives. There were no awkward pauses or lulls in the conversation. She was funny, intelligent, and charming. I loved it when she laughed because I got to see that heartwarming smile again and again. I was hooked right then and there.

We continued to talk and she asked me what I did. I told her I was a professional hopscotch player. I asked what she did and she told me that she was a shoe shiner at McCarran Airport. We commented on the world and everything going on in it. We found out we had a million things in common, from both being born in Las Vegas, to our families. It was amazing; I had never connected with anyone like that before. We were in our own little world, and there was nowhere else I would rather have been.

The night wound down, and the gals were getting ready to leave. I couldn't let this be the last time I saw her so I mustered up the courage to ask for her number. I invited her to the next Runnin’ Rebel home game with me and my friends. She said she would go and wrote her phone number on a receipt that I still have to this day.

Now, I know dating rules call for a 2 day minimum wait before contacting someone who gives you their number, but I couldn't do it. When I got home that night, I sent her a text that said how nice it was to meet her, goodnight and sweet dreams. There is nothing more nerve racking than sending a text that you want to get a reply from. Luckily, the phone "dinged". She responded that she couldn't wait to hang out again to talk more about shoe shining and hopscotch. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.

The following Monday, I wanted to do something that would make me stand out to Stephine. I drove to Kit Carson Elementary, where Stephine teaches. I dropped off a gift bag with a shoe shine kit inside with a card that read, "A little something to help you polish up on your skills". She called me after school and we spent the next two nights talking on the phone and had our first proper date that Wednesday. We have been inseparable ever since.