Our Love Story
Love stories begin in a multitude of ways—ours started with a game of pickleball!
It was October 21, 2024, when God’s providence (and a little help from our dear friend Leigh Ann) brought us together. Leigh Ann, one of Jocelyn’s best friends and the wife of Ryan’s coworker Tyler, had a feeling that we’d hit it off, and what better way to test that theory than a triple date on the pickleball court! Ryan was immediately taken aback by Jocelyn’s beauty, and despite not having much one-on-one time that night, he did know one thing for certain—he wanted to see her again. As the evening ended, Ryan turned to Jocelyn with a knowing smile and said, “I think we make a great team.” Little did we know how true those words would become.
A second date over boba turned into hours of effortless conversation, filled with deep questions and even deeper connections. A third date at Amari, one of Jocelyn’s favorite restaurants, confirmed what we both were starting to feel—this was something special. By the fourth date, a hike at Red Rock Canyon (with Ryan’s dog Wiz enthusiastically tagging along), it was undeniable.
That night, we talked for hours about faith, family, and the values that mattered most to us. It all felt too good to be true, yet it was real, honest, and deeply refreshing. By the very next day, we had our fifth date, because we simply couldn’t stay away from each other.
Just three weeks after we met, Ryan knew he would marry Jocelyn. One week later, he asked her to be his girlfriend.
The months that followed were filled with cherished moments—holiday gatherings, family introductions, church on Sundays, and new traditions that quickly felt like forever traditions. Ryan was welcomed into Jocelyn’s world, where he developed a newfound love for large family gatherings and home-cooked Filipino food. Christmas was nothing short of magical, with twinkling lights, gift exchanges, and a cozy Christmas morning that felt like home.
As time passed, our love grew deeper. We had intentional conversations about our wildest dreams and our deepest challenges, always grounded in the belief that God had beautifully orchestrated our paths to cross at the perfect time.
Ryan began to plan a proposal that would be both nostalgic and incredibly meaningful. On January 26, 2025, under the guise of a casual pickleball rematch with the same friends from our first date, Leigh Ann distracted Jocelyn while Ryan secretly transformed the court into a love letter for his future bride—a beautiful tribute to the journey we had taken together.
When Jocelyn returned to see the surprise, she was completely overwhelmed with joy. She had known that the proposal would be coming soon, but in that moment, not only was it a complete surprise, but it also felt like a dream. Knowing she was the teammate he wanted by his side for life, Ryan got down on one knee and asked Jocelyn to join Team Smoke. With full hearts, we embraced each other and the beginning of our forever together.
