Although I didn’t know Ryan personally, I felt as though I did. I think most onlookers today felt the same way. All of us with such heavy hearts that on the streets where we gathered there was little conversation, just lots of emotion. Lots of anger, lots of compassion for the family, for the RPD family, and his service family.  You look at the images of Ryan and his family and think, “They could be my next door neighbors”, or, “He’s the exact age as my nephew”, and somehow you feel that much closer. When my husband saw the short piece with Ryan’s Dad on T.V. he said ” I know him, we have worked out of the same plan room for many years” (construction business). It seems that here in little River city, if you’ve lived her for some time we all know each other in some sort of round about way! It was evident today. Thank you Ryan for fighting for my freedom, and my safety!

These two really do have quite a romantic story. They met at the ranch where Mary Kay boards her horse. John is the local horse shooer who frequently worked with the horses there. Couldn’t you just picture their image on the front of a romance novel?
Their wedding took place at the Historic Mission Inn in Riverside. They enjoyed an intimate Sunday morning wedding and an incredible brunch reception. It was delightful!