About Rose Marie
Rose Marie, who also goes by “Roe” or “RM,” but never “Rose,” was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, FL. After attending the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL, she moved back to Fort Lauderdale to build her career in advertising. She spent nearly a decade honing her craft in her native Florida, then made the decision to follow her professional ambitions to New York City, the center of the advertising universe. It proved to be the best decision of her life, as her career prospered and she met Ryan, the love of her life.
About Ryan
Ryan was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He spent his childhood visiting Florida and spending time with his beloved Nana, and he will always cherish the time they shared. After starting college in New York, he moved to South Florida and earned his degree at FAU. He stayed in Florida to begin his career in recruitment, but soon moved to the D.C. area for a new adventure. A phone call from a former work contact brought him back to New York City where his career has thrived, he’s met and reconnected with amazing friends, completed 10 triathlons, and finally met “the” girl, Roe.
About R2
01/07/14 - Our First Date
10/23/15 - We Moved In Together
07/16/17 - Roe Said, “Yes”
10/06/18 - We Say, “I Do”
We lovingly (or obnoxiously, depending on whom you ask) refer to ourselves as R2 ("R Squared"). But it all began on OkCupid, the online dating platform. Ryan reached out first, and caught Roe's interest by referencing Shabba Doo (look him up). Our first date was a casual meet-up for drinks at a bar, but after learning we both lived in South Florida, and that we both worked for the same people at different points in our careers, our connection grew quickly. One glass of wine turned into three with a side of dinner, and the conversation was free-flowing. At the end of the evening, with a chivalrous, if not numbing, move, Ryan walked Roe home in 7 degree weather. After that fateful first meeting, we began dating, sharing our love for 80’s and 90’s pop culture, Broadway shows, hosting parties, and travel. We fell in love and began our life together.
THE PROPOSAL
July 16, 2017
Ryan is a New York City Triathlete eight times over. When we began dating in 2014, Roe started a tradition - she makes him a giant sign, and cheers him on from the sidelines of Central Park during the race. But the sign is always a surprise, and he doesn’t get to see it until he's running the actual race.
For the 2017 NYC Triathlon, Ryan planned a surprise of his own. He had a custom shirt made for Roe. She thought it was a sweet gesture, but really he used it as a decoy.
But that wasn’t his only surprise. When he finished his race (his third-best time ever), we walked through Central Park looking for friends. We walked over to our favorite spot in the park - a quiet lawn on the west side of Cherry Hill overlooking The Lake and San Remo towers. Unbeknownst to Roe, Ryan had made his own signs this year - seven of them - and they were waiting for her on the lawn. One by one, in a Love Actually-inspired reveal, Ryan shared seven heartwarming, personal messages with Roe.
"You are not the only one who can make signs"
"It’s July so we don’t have to worry about Carol Singers"
"With any luck by next year, we will have one of these (pictures of dogs)"
"But for now let me say, with hope and agenda"
"You are the best person I’ve ever met"
"And my biggest cheerleader (Paula Abdul Lakers; forever my girl image)"
"R2 forever"
The eigth and final sign was a request for Roe to turn around. When she did, she was greeted with a boisterous cheer, and the beautiful faces of their friends and loved ones, whom Ryan had invited to the park, and Kristin, Ryan's "Proposal Coordinator," had gathered. They were also wearing shirts that Ryan had designed, and they had a sign of their own!
When Roe turned back around to face Ryan, he was on his knee with an engagement ring in his hand, and he asked Roe to marry him. Through tears of joy, she said, “yes,” and the rest is history!
