Ryan and I have known each other for six years

 Our family hosted a BBQ party on a 4th of July in 2016. My Grandma had lived in a Cul De Sac for over 20 years (1994) and Ryan’s parents lived across the street from her they moved in 2008. 

At the time of the BBQ, I was dating someone else and Ryan had asked me if the guy I was seeing was treating me right and asked me if I was happy. I told him I was and Ryan being determined, told me right then and there that he had a crush on me and thought I was “the most beautiful girl in the world.” I was thrown off guard, that I started to laugh nervously. My cousins and uncle's after hearing this made fun of Ryan the rest of the evening after confessing his feelings for me.

When I became single again, Ryan wasted in no time in pursuing me again and asked me out. I always thought Ryan was kind, and I began to fall for him when I took notice of how he respected and treated me on our date nights. Ryan has always had the utmost respectful intentions, he had introduced me to his family only after two months of dating. I knew I was in love with him when I had seen how hands-on he was as a partner listening and caring for me, as well as engaging with my son Nathan.  If Nathan had a million and one questions about a subject Ryan would listen, and answer and explain the best way he could for my son to understand.