If you ask Ryan, he met Tara at a Halloween Party at Kevin and Erin O'Brien's house in 2007. The couple couldn't have imagined that ten years later, they would be asking the hosts to be in their bridal party. (This is mainly because Tara doesn't remember meeting Ryan that night.)

Rather, the first time Tara saw Ryan was at a party a few months later. She saw him across the room (cliché!) and immediately commented to her friend Amanda about him.

Fortunately, later that year, they reconnected. After a few months of group bike nights, nights out, and even a date or two, they went their separate ways, but remained good friends.

In June 2012, they planned to go camping and see a Dave Matthews Band concert, but Tara got stuck at work, so they couldn’t go. Instead, they grabbed a bottle of wine and sat outside listening to the songs they had planned to hear live. As on-and-off friends with some wine in their bellies, they looked online for another DMB show they could make it to. What stood out was a show in the middle of nowhere in the Pacific North West. It was Tara’s idea (of course) to travel cross-country by train. That night, they booked a trip for two.

That summer was spent in anticipation of what was to come. They grew closer by the day and knew that the trip ahead would either a) be the end of a great summer together or b) be the beginning of an even greater adventure.

They boarded the Amtrak train and embarked on a 3 day ride. The stack of books, movies, and games they packed away never came out of the suitcase – they occupied each other’s time and their bond strengthened. It felt different. It felt special. It was an amazing trip.

Soon, they were en route to building their lives together. After two years of growing in love, they got an apartment, then a puppy (Trigger), then a house, then another puppy (Nala)! Completing their little family, for now.

FF to Tara's Birthday weekend June 2018: En route to what she thought was a surprise dinner reservation, Tara realized they were in fact on their way to New Jersey to see (you guessed it) Dave Matthew's Band. The next morning, they left the Island once more, heading to the Hudson Valley to go hiking with Tara’s brother Joe. They climbed the scramble, checked out amazing views of the Hudson River, explored ruins, and wandered onto a beautiful rock outcropping. It was there that Ryan got down on one knee, and proposed to spend the rest of their lives together. He asked her to help him keep his promise to Poppi that he would always look after his girl. Of course she said yes!

They lived happily ever after. Well, they will!

Come help us celebrate and take part in a wonderful display of love!