Anniversary Week: The Story of How Ryan and Erin Met...Both Versions.

Anniversary weeks has arrived! On June 1st we have been together two years and as of June 2nd, married for one! And since you're about to get an influx of Portugal pictures, I thought I would kick it off with the stories of how we met-Erin and Ryan's version. These were originally on our wedding website along with a slew of less than beautiful photos lol. I feel like one version of events is more accurate than another buuuut i'll let you be the judge <3

Erin's Story

I had seen Ryan at church for awhile and thought he was very cute. Those who know Ryan, know he carries himself very well and seems much older than he appears and I, and my friends, thought he was mid to late 20s.

So finally at a talent show where I made a complete fool of myself on stage, the decision was made to introduce myself. We briefly spoke and both went on our merry ways. From there, we knew each other's names and I definitely made sure to say hi whenever I saw him, but did not have a lot of contact until a friend came into town and was at church.

I entered the Sunday School classroom and asked this friend to save me the seat next to him. Ryan took one look at me and with an evil grin, sat in that seat and refused to leave. Of course, I went over there and with great

authority, told him to move since he clearly heard me claim the seat he was sitting in. As he finally shifted over to let me sit, he asks, "aren't you a little old to be flirting with me?" I asked him how old he thought I was...and he guessed it. Suddenly very confused, I asked his age and he says 20...My friend Amelia was sitting on his other side and knew I had been flirting with him shamelessly for months. She looked at me, reflecting my shocked expression.

From there, all flirting on my end ceased.

Ryan somehow finagled my number that day and started texting me. Asking me to lunch and telling me I can use my social security check to pay since I was so old. I would ask him if it was as his date or his babysitter and of course the sassy boy would reply "babysitter"; to which I responded that his parents needed to call me for my rates. He would tease and harass me for a couple months and although he was younger, I found him very endearing and got butterflies whenever I saw him. I finally realized that the only reason I wouldn't go on a date with him was because of the age difference. I figured it would be better to just go on one date, get it out of the way, and kill my little crush...ha!

He took me to Bobby's Dairy Dip where we had burgers and ice cream and then went Swing Dancing at Centennial Park (it was a 1950s themed date to reflect my "age" ). He thought we could learn to dance together, not knowing that I was a ballroom dancer in college. He felt silly but I thought he was adorable. On the way to the car, he confidently grabbed my hand and my butterflies returned. Apparently our date was going well because he pulled out the big guns and snuck us into the Vanderbilt football stadium where we sat and talked for hours until sleepiness got the best of us.

After being dropped off, he scheduled the next date for 5 days later, and we have been together ever since.

Ryan’s Story

If I knew Erin thought I was twenty-five, we would have been dating much earlier.

It was clear she was interested. For months, her sideway glances and overly-eager jokes were a flattering part of my weekly routine. As time passed her enthusiasm would build: meeting after a Christmas concert, an hour spent discussing her trip to Ireland a few months later, coy references to her upcoming birthday party. But I was always confused why she would be so brazen with someone younger than her.

Until April, when her birthday was just a month away. On one faithful day, I arrived too late to a class and could only find one available seat- front row, next to Erin Lewis. I took it, despite her protesting. She was trying to tell me that in a filled room, she was trying to save a seat! Her mock offense quickly transformed into charm, and she was soon telling me about her upcoming plans. Her party was in a few weeks, and she asked when was my 25th- hopeful for an invite, I imagine.

However, I had to tell her that my 25th would not be for a few more years. She did not initially believe me, and the truth ultimately did not deter her. In fact, the texts only increased from then. Seeing each other once a week turned into daily communication, and I finally agreed to take her on a date in June. A classic burger drive-in joint and swing dancing in the park was a fitting first date for someone from her generation.

The first date was great, the second even better. We would travel together, cook together, laugh together, and binge watch Arrested Development together. Despite our differences in age, we found far more similarities than not. And hopefully the good times continue to roll.