Images: Aimee Custis Photography
It was a productive weekend at the Ryback household. We cleaned, hung, and put away ALL THE THINGS. It was a nice distraction, but I’d be lying if I told you I was anywhere close to being back to pre-election standards. It’s a short week on the blog with the Thanksgiving holiday. Andy & I are headed to NJ (as usual) for the Turkey break, and I am hoping the family time will continue to help to ease the feelings of unrest and anxiety that I am still holding.
Saturday is also Small Business Saturday – my first as an eCommerce Shop Owner. And naturally we plan to celebrate it with a big ole discount in the online #CapRoShop. The orders have been trickling in (and the reviews too!!) and we’d be downright HONORED to have you purchase some holiday gifts from our shop this season. So be sure you are signed up for our #CapRoNewblasts to get Saturday’s 1-day only Small Biz Saturday discount.
For today we have a sweet engagement session & love story — I actually used to go to the gym with the bride to be, many years ago, in Arlington. DC such a small place :) Well they are both active people and so they decided to pick a place that they run near frequently – the Key Bridge. Be sure to check out Stephanie’s ring too – a family heirloom! Happy Monday all.
6 years ago, Becca asked John and Stephanie, separately, if they’d like to join a relay team. The team would be comprised of 12 people in 2 vans running 200 miles from Gettysburg, PA to Washington, DC. Avid runners, they both agreed!
Their first official meeting was at Northside Social in Arlington, where Becca shared the final team name: “American: Odd ‘N Easy.”  Stephanie thought this was hilarious because of it’s play off the name of the relay: American Odyssey.
When Stephanie found out John was the clever man that came up with the team name, she immediately asked for his number! It would take him 2 more years from that point to realize Stephanie was pursuing him…Even after countless invitations to play board games to which John always invited a third party…After all, board games are no fun with just two people!
After 4 years of blissful dating, board gaming, traveling, and cooking, Stephanie was persistently and fervently encouraging John to pop the question. A week before their 4 year anniversary, and Stephanie’s deadline, John finally did just that!
While cooking dinner one Saturday night, John told Stephanie it would be a good idea to invite some people to share the meal. Stephanie asked her sister and her sister’s boyfriend (Jill and Binoy) to join them. Jill said Binoy was on a run, but would ask him when he returned. Knowing that Stephanie wanted to celebrate their engagement with Jill and Binoy, John asked, “If Binoy says yes to coming to dinner, do you want me to propose tonight?” To which Stephanie responded, “Sure!” And with that, John got down on one knee and Stephanie sobbed uncontrollably.
