It was April 25, 1998.  I was sitting in a salon chair having my hair and makeup done and preparing to go to the Prom as Ryan’s date.  All I could think about was how strange it felt.  I hadn’t really grown up as a “girly” girl. I spent most of my free time in riding boots and jeans, hanging out with my horse at the local barn. Putting on a gown and having my hair and makeup done definitely felt strange to me.

None of my other friends were going to the dance so we went with a group of Ryan’s friends that I didn’t know very well. They were all a year older than me and the type of people I thought of as the “popular” kids.  I wondered if Ryan would be sorry he’d brought me when given the choice to hang out with his much “cooler” friends. I was so nervous when he came to pick me up, I felt a little sick to my stomach.  But of course, my sweetheart did NOT disappoint.

That Prom night would be the first of many times Ryan would succeed in making me feel like I was the the most beautiful girl in the world.  The theme was “You’re Night to Shine” and he took it literally. He made every moment incredible and made me feel like a princess.  From the beautiful limo, to the amazing dinner to our very first slow dance to “Unchained Melody,” I felt like the only girl in the room. As we danced and laughed among a throng of other high school couples, Ryan and I had no idea that this particular date would become one of the most significant in our lives.

Four years later, exactly five years to the day of that magical night, I’d be back in a salon chair once again, preparing to walk down the isle and become his wife.  Of course, that’s a whole other story. Not to worry – we’ll get there soon enough ;-)

Want to read more about our love story?

• OUR LOVE STORY | PART I | THE SCAVENGER HUNT
• OUR LOVE STORY | PART II | A MOUNTAIN TOP PROM ASK
• OUR LOVE STORY | PART III | PROM NIGHT
• OUR LOVE STORY | PART IV | A PERFECT PROPOSAL
• OUR LOVE STORY | PART V | OUR WEDDING
• OUR LOVE STORY | PART VI | OUR HONEYMOON