Girl Meets Boy...

       

Andrew Ryan & Kristi Marie

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      Some of you may or may not have heard my actual story of how my now husband and I met. Looking back it seems like we were destined to be together as I was best friends with his cousin. When I moved to this town in middle school she lived a few houses down and she was my first and most constant friend throughout all of high school. Sarah was dependable and full of life and we had so many special memories together. We still have fun together and honestly she's like another sister of mine.

     Anyway, I was always with Sarah and her family during middle and high school and I knew of her cousin Andrew but never thought much of dating him or anything like that. We honestly never really talked at all until we were Seniors in high school. I specifically remember Sarah telling me on the bus one day, "You should just date my cousin Andrew..." to which I responded, "Eww no Sarah, that'd be weird!" I laugh every time I tell that story. She was right. I went all through high school not dating anyone and truly not worrying about it. I was always a little awkward and very reserved. I had great friends and grew out of my shyness very quickly being around them, but I was still not one to worry about dating, going out on Friday nights and worrying about what other people thought. I was pretty self-conscious but at the same time I was comfortable with my life. I went to most dances by myself and had a ton of guy friends because  I love sports and would rather talk about baseball and basketball plays than gossip about other girls. 

I was quite content with my life and where my future was heading the summer before my Senior year. I knew I wanted to go to Salisbury University to pursue a degree in Elementary Education and I was looking forward to my last year of Varsity Field Hockey. Just before August arrived I remember getting a message from a Fetty screen name and to my surprise he just wanted to talk and see what was new. We talked and I remember thinking hmm that was really nice. Weeks went on and after exchanging numbers that summer I found myself constantly wanting to talk to him and know what he was doing. He was always so easy to talk to and could make me laugh at the drop of the dime. He asked me out on a date during preseason of our fall sports seasons and we went to what is now my absolute favorite restaurant; Iron Hill Brewery. I ordered a salad (What was I thinking?!) and we talked for hours. He even let me change his radio without asking and was okay with me telling him that he was driving too fast. (typical of me.) One date led to another and hours upon hours of fun and laughter began. Andrew quickly became my best friend and brought out the best of me. On September 8, 2005 a nervous Andrew asked if I would be his girlfriend to which I quickly responded, "Duh, of course!"

     Fast forward to college applications, amazing Senior year sports seasons, prom court, etc. Enter college and welcome a mix of emotions and quite a few challenges. I personally endured part of the darkest time of my life but overcame with faith and family. Andrew left SU in 2007 and when he returned for my graduation I was a different person; for the better. I student taught in New Zealand for 2 months and embarked on a journey that made me so confident in my purpose and my abilities. Andrew always believed in my dreams and still does.We got engaged after about 8 years of dating and about 2 weeks after I was officially hired as a Second Grade Teacher. Andrew says he knew it was time. Despite worrying about where to live, how much money or lack of money we had, he knew that we were ready to move on. Like he always does, he went with his gut, bought my ring and made it a day I'll never forget. We went to lunch at our favorite spot and where we had our first day. I don't get salads there anymore! We had such a fun day and of course I didn't think much of our lunch because I did just get hired and he told me he wanted to celebrate. When I asked upon pulling into his Aunt's neighborhood why so many cars were there he just said that he hated to tell me the surprise

but they were throwing a surprise celebration party for me! I cried. A lot. I'm so naive sometimes; clearly. I walked into the house and get chills remembering just how overwhelmed I felt. Literally all of my closest family and friends were there with tears in their eyes. At this point I still didn't get it. But I cried knowing that my precious grandmother drove hours to be there. I turn around and couldn't find Andrew anywhere! Behold, he was shaking nervously about to get to one knee after telling me in front of our families that he has always considered himself the lucky one and that he had dreamed of this day for a long time. He remembered knowing I was the one after only a short time. He asked me to be his wife to which I cried and exclaimed yes of course! Everyone cheered and clapped and cried! Go figure :) We celebrated that day and continue that tradition as often as we can! We love to be with family and just have fun wherever we go.

      On June 22, 2013 we got married. We were married in the same church many of his family members were and the church we were a part of growing up. Our close and trusted friend Brett married us and we were surrounded by over 200 close friends and family. We worshipped, we had amazing readings by family in English and Spanish, my sister kissed him on the cheek before I walked out, we drove off in a 1964 Corvette Stingray and the rest is history.  Of course there were many things that happened that day that could have been disastrous, trust me. I decided to overlook those and focus on the amazing things of that day. For instance, we got to the church and forgot the flower girl's dress. My amazing dad 2 came to our rescue and got it just in time. The bridesmaids flowers were so ugly I almost cried upon seeing them. My mom's being the amazing moms they are, picked out the ugliest flowers and made them work. Our food was cold, we were rushed eating and my slideshow wouldn't work right. That's not the things I remember most though. I remember the feeling of waking up and having breakfast and coffee with my best friends while laughing hysterically to Bridesmaids. I remember my mom's card and her gift to me of her pearls. I

remember walking down the steps the first time everyone saw me dressed. I remember Andrew's friend Danny giving me a letter moments before I walked down the aisle. It was the most perfect letter I've ever read. I still read it time to time. He has such a way with words. I remember the 3 piano notes that played just as I walked out to "A thousand years" by Christina Perri and Andrew stared at me while tears fell from his eyes. I remember my dad walking so slow and I remember looking around me to see so many genuinely happy eyes. I remember my bridesmaids looking as gorgeous as ever and I remember one of my best friends snapping pictures left and right so perfectly.

I remember the pictures of us while we walked down the aisle that showed us as kids up until our engagement pictures. I remember the worship songs played by our friend Pete who is in the band at the church we attend. I remember my knees shaking while I recited my vowels. I remember crying and having Andrew wipe my tear away. I remember Ben Rector singing, "I never knew that I could love someone the way I loved you..." As we made our first walk hand in hand after being officially married. I remember the ride in the Corvette and I was so afraid my birdcage vail would fly away. I remember our friend Kenny, the DJ, introducing us. I remember the laughter, tears and congratulations we heard all night. I remember the genuine happiness that we saw from everyone who was there. I remember that I was not one bit nervous and was so excited to be Mrs. Fetterolf. I remember the looks, the love and the grace that enveloped me that day and continues to do so every day of my life. 

      It's so nice having a confidant, a supporter and an entertainer by your side every time you're in need. I was blessed to move to Elkton and meet this guy who with his family and his genuine faith has changed my life forever. The Fetterolf family is a family unlike any other and if you met the grandparents that started it all you would understand why.

They are truly two of the most beautiful and giving people I've ever met. If I could be half the woman his grandmother and mine are, I will be okay! They met in high school and continue to live a happy and beautiful life because they know what's important, what's not and whose they are. Andrew's aunts and uncles have marriages that have overcome and outlasted a great deal but they remind us that love can overcome. I could not have asked for a better name to take on. Our entire families were there the day I got engaged and continue to be there with us every step of our journey. For that, I am extremely grateful. 

    I'm often told our relationship is that of a best friend's relationship. It is. We know what's important, we believe and we try to be selfless as we have been selflessly loved and forgiven. I l o v e my life and I love knowing that every step of the way I am not alone. Through jobs, miracles, moves, sports, kids, death and grief I will never be alone.