Ryan and Mercedes' story began in December 2011 in Sarasota, Florida. Ryan was home from New York for the holidays visiting his family, and one evening while he was out in downtown Sarasota, his sister Bridget introduced him to her friend Mercedes. Ryan and Mercedes had only an hour to get to know each other that night, but they both made a lasting impression.

It wasn't until several months later that they were able to reconnect. Bridget, Mercedes and their friends Molly, Courtney and Natalie threw a large birthday party celebrating all five of their birthdays. Ryan made a surprise trip to Sarasota for the party which was held at Michael's Wine Cellar. That evening Mercedes was wearing what she still considers to be the most uncomfortable pair of shoes she has ever worn. Ryan and Mercedes came face to face when Mercedes was attempting to artfully lean against the bar and look natural while giving her feet a slight rest. Mercedes realized Ryan was the handsome man standing next to her, and she promptly forgot about her shoes. After hours of conversation (and an eventual shoe change), they knew the evening marked the beginning of something incredibly special.

That weekend they spent more time together, and discovered they had a lot in common - they both owned a piano, spoke Spanish, valued family, appreciated art, music, good food and wine and fun adventures. When it was time for Ryan to return to New York, Mercedes asked her roommate Courtney if it was crazy for her to feel like she had made such a perfect connection with someone she just met and to start a long-distance relationship. Courtney emphatically told her she was not crazy. 

Thanks in part to JetBlue, which offered reasonably-priced nonstop flights between Sarasota and New York City, they were able to see each other almost every weekend (and rack up lots of frequent flyer miles). Their trips were often a jam-packed whirlwind spent with family and friends, enjoying the best of what their hometowns have to offer. After many months, Mercedes made a permanent move to live with Ryan in New York, something that made both of them quite happy. They were excited to enjoy some of the little things that most couples take for granted, like spending a Tuesday evening together with nothing better to do than watch TV, or even doing laundry or going grocery shopping together. And most of all, they liked that their time together didn't end when the weekend did.  

On Friday, July 3rd, 2015, Mercedes suspected Ryan might propose: Ryan got more dressed up than usual, a little nervous and announced that he was taking her on a mystery date. He proceeded to recreate their first date in the city, ultimately proposing to Mercedes at "their spot" in Central Park, with a vivid blue natural sapphire engagement ring he had designed especially for her.  

Ryan and Mercedes are so excited to be getting married this November in Boca Grande! Boca Grande has always been a special place for Mercedes and her family, who vacationed at The Gasparilla Inn when Mercedes was younger, and now it will be Ryan and Mercedes' special place, too. They're looking forward to celebrating this new chapter in their lives with their family and friends.