Some love stories unfold in quiet, magical ways, woven through poetry, patience, and a little bit of fate. Delany and Ryan’s journey from an almost-missed connection to a lifelong partnership is one of those stories that feels like it was meant to be all along. Their wedding day, set in the lush beauty of a greenhouse in Grand Rapids, was a perfect reflection of their love—warm, vibrant, and deeply rooted in the community that surrounds them.

A Meeting Written in the Stars (and Tarot Cards)

Delany and Ryan’s first meeting was the kind you’d find in an indie romance film—music, moonlight, and a bit of missed timing. On the Fourth of July, Delany sat outside her then-partner’s house, making bracelets and reading tarot as a house show played on the front porch. A group of friends walked up, Ryan among them. He noticed Delany immediately, intrigued by her energy, and later asked about her—only to find out she wasn’t available.

But the universe had a plan, and it wasn’t finished writing their story yet.

A Love Story in Poetry and Persistence

Two years later, fate placed them in the same poetry class. One day, Ryan casually asked Delany to grab a drink after class. That one invitation led to an unexpected but perfectly natural next step—he ended up coming home with her and never really leaving. Their friendship-turned-romance deepened as Ryan seamlessly became the unofficial third roommate in Delany’s shared apartment. When she left for Alabama to pursue an MFA in poetry, their love stretched across the distance, strengthened by visits, late-night calls, and the certainty that they were meant to be.

As Ryan finished his degree and built his life in Grand Rapids, the pandemic shifted their plans. Delany moved back, finishing her degree while living with Ryan. They grew through every challenge together, and when the time was right, Ryan knew exactly how to ask her to marry him.

A Surprise Proposal by the Water

Delany had one request—no proposal until she had her degree in hand. Ryan listened, and as soon as she graduated, he planned the perfect surprise. At her family’s lake house on Lake Huron, her loved ones gathered for what she thought was a graduation party. But the moment was about to become even more magical. As the celebration unfolded, Ryan proposed, and her family pulled off the ultimate switch—transforming the decor into an engagement party in real time. It was a moment of pure love, surprise, and joy, wrapped in the place that meant the most to her.

A Wedding Rooted in Love and Celebration

On their wedding day, Delany and Ryan stepped into a space filled with life—greenery climbing the glass walls, sunlight filtering through leaves, and the air buzzing with laughter and love. For Delany, the excitement was in the simple, meaningful moments: slipping into a beautiful dress, sitting beside Ryan at dinner as newlyweds, dancing under twinkling lights, and seeing so many people they love gathered in one place.

Their greenhouse wedding was a celebration not just of their love, but of the poetry woven through their story—the missed connection that found its way back, the long-distance that only deepened their bond, and the shared life they built in Grand Rapids. Every leaf, every petal, every shared glance felt like a page from a love story still being written.