I definitely need to get a photo of these two … because they are as beautiful as their story. Both so sweet, both so in love with the other. We met over the summer and they could barely get their story out they were so excited.  Ryan and Stephanie got married last weekend and shared this story at the reception. I can just imagine the look on their parents’ faces — a combination of pride, excitement, and “I told you so.” Congrats you two!

The Story of Stephanie + Ryan

In 2006 Ryan bought a home in North Scottsdale.
A nice home, in a nice community, surrounded by very nice neighbors…
Who were all very old.

So when he heard that the person looking at the house right next door was his age, he was pleased. And when he heard that they would get along, he was happy. But it was Stephanie’s mother who was happiest of all – because in the process of moving in, she saw Ryan outside with his yellow lab Kona and immediately fell in love… with the dog.

Though she eventually noticed that Ryan was pretty cute too.

Soon Stephanie’s father met Ryan – and Ryan generously brought him McDonalds as her dad renovated the home. Actually, everyone in Stephanie’s family knew Ryan before she did and everyone loved him. They called him, appropriately, “The Boy Next Door.”

Much to Stephanie’s embarrassment, the excitement over The Boy Next Door continued to mount until, two months after Stephanie was handed the keys, she heard her mother say (in a voice only mothers use),

“Your neighbor is outside.”
Ryan was in the garage. The time had come. Time to meet the Boy Next Door.

The first time Ryan laid eyes on Stephanie is a moment he will never forget:
She was wearing a blue shirt, black shorts.
Her smile was easy and her eyes flashed green in the sunlight.
Her dark hair was pulled back in a haphazard ponytail.
And as she walked towards him all Ryan could think was…
“Holy crap.”
Nothing any mother had said could prepare him for the beauty of the girl next door.

He knew instantly that he should welcome her to the neighborhood – it was the neighborly thing to do after all. He chose not to do it with flowers – that would be awkward. He decided .. instead … to run to Target pack a huge laundry basket full of household essentials: Jet Dry, paper towels, toilet paper, and some fancy candles. THIS was the PERFECT “Welcome to the neighborhood beautiful neighbor girl” gift.

That night, nervous and excited, Ryan showed up on Stephanie’s doorstep with his basketful of necessities.
Stephanie thanked him and thought to herself, “What a nice little neighbor.”

… Not exactly the response Ryan was hoping for…
Whether she was playing hard to get or just wasn’t ready it wasn’t clear, but if time is what she needed, time he could give her. If she needed space, that would be a bit more challenging. After all, they lived under the same roof line.

For several months they were very neighborly – taking care of each other in the way that neighbors do. Ryan helped when her pipes burst, and Stephanie kept an eye on Kona the dog. Ryan let Stephanie borrow his furniture while she waited for hers to arrive. If one of them went out of town, the other gathered their mail. And from time to time they could both be seen drifting casually to their back windows just to catch a glimpse of the other, or lingering a little longer in the backyard in hopes of running into their neighbor.

By late June, the neighbors had become friends.
By late July, the Boy Next Door wanted to tell the Girl that he could see something more …
And just before autumn arrived, at a wedding in Laguna where they traveled together and shared one room, two beds, the Girl Next Door knew…

Though her family loved him first … she could quite possibly love him forever.

—

It was September 1^st, 2010.
Ryan and Stephanie were about to leave for a ten-day trip out east.
In the midst of the packing chaos, Stephanie and her mother scheduled a family dinner with Ryan the evening before they left. Something quick. Something simple. Something just to say goodbye. Stephanie was to meet Ryan at his place when she was ready to go. But before heading over she called. She text. And she waited. She called again. Text again. And she waited. But Ryan didn’t respond so Stephanie got worried. There was no way she could have known…

That two weeks before, Ryan had a dinner of his own planned with Stephanie’s parents. A dinner where he asked if he could have the Girl Next Door as his bride.

On September 1^st, 2010, Ryan had taken a half-day at work. He had tiptoed around the neighborhood, hoping she wouldn’t catch him – because, after all, she lived next door. He had filled his family room with candles and flowers and when Stephanie walked in, he was ready. Ryan got down on one knee. He had carefully prepared exactly what he wanted to say to the most beautiful woman he had ever known. He was as nervous, and as excited, as he had been the day he dropped off the laundry basket of household items.

And when he asked, Stephanie said yes.
The man who had been the first to welcome Stephanie to the neighborhood, would now be the one to welcome her home, to their home, for the rest of their days.

Immediately, Ryan told Stephanie plans had changed – no dinner with the parents; instead they were going out just the two of them to celebrate their “special moment.” As they drove, Stephanie desperately tried calling everyone she loved to share the news … but no one would answer.

For good reason.
Because both families and their closest friends were waiting at the restaurant. And as the couple walked in, they cheered.

It was the best night of their lives.
The best night … until now.