katie + ryan | austin, texas
hey silver lining readers, meet katie + ryan, the second of our 5 "win your wedding" finalists. here's what ryan, now a recruitment director for Teach For America, wrote:
“Seventh grade is the most awkward of grades. Hormones rage, tempers flare, and parents and teachers all too often enjoy the brunt of it all. Despite all of that, or maybe because of it, Katie and I found each other in the seventh grade.ryan told us of long (yet exhilarating!) hours just down the hall from katie’s home room, and wanting so very much to get to know her. . .
Well, so we weren’t in seventh grade.
We were teaching it.
In the spring of 2005, just months after graduating from the University Of Missouri, I found myself teaching seventh-grade English in inner-city Houston. Katie had just graduated from Kansas State and, like me, was leaving all that was familiar to her and hoping to make a difference.
We were two of 150 other recent college graduates in Houston who had decided to join Teach For America, an organization committed to expanding educational opportunity in low-income communities across the country.”
“By January, I was definitely interested in Katie – she was so beautiful, she made me laugh, she was brilliant and we shared a lot of interests. She was also from the Midwest, and even though she was a K-State fan and I had grown up in Columbia a staunch Tiger, she was still the perfect woman!
I made an effort to sit by her in our weekly teacher certification classes. We were the kinds of students we had a hard time with in our own classes – we sat in the back and talked most of the time. I definitely had a crush on Katie . . . [and] finally worked up the courage to ask Katie out – in true seventh-grade form:
I passed her a note at school.”
ryan, we’re so glad you passed Katie that note, and especially happy that, a year later, you passed your application on to us.
we can just picture you two there in the classroom, giggling in the back row!
thank you both for your commitment to kids and for sharing your story.
whether you end up marring in austin (note: where the couple now resides, and where katie goes law school) or evenmanhattan, kansas ☺ ~ we admire you two and are inspired by your dedication to kids and your dedication to each other.
Congratulations!
and now we’d love to hear from your friends and family – tell us folks, how did these two win YOUR hearts?
~ amy enderle + kim wade
thank you both for your commitment to kids and for sharing your story.
whether you end up marring in austin (note: where the couple now resides, and where katie goes law school) or even
Congratulations!
and now we’d love to hear from your friends and family – tell us folks, how did these two win YOUR hearts?
~ amy enderle + kim wade
25 COMMENTS:
Katie and Ryan are two of the most kind-hearted, humble, fun people I have met here in Texas (and ever). Being a 6th grade teacher myself, I can say with certainty that they were by far the coolest 7th grade teachers in the school. If they approach their marriage with the same compassion and dedication they did their classrooms, I know they will have a long happy life ahead of them. - MH
Ryan is the best boss you could ask for. He has helped me learn so much about Teach For America, and I am so happy and proud to be a 2008 Corps member! Though Ryan is not the most extroverted guy in the world, he is never too shy to talk about Katie, and I am sure she is just as wonderful as him. I hear teaching through Teach For America is a great way to find a spouse - Ryan and Katie are a perfect testament to that!
~MS
Thank you for considering Ryan & Katie in your contest! As parents of the groom-to-be, we think their story is very special & admire them both for choosing to serve the country’s less fortunate youth in a public school setting. Katie & Ryan faced many challenges during their teaching years with Teach for America. They worked as part of a team at a lower-performing school to improve not only the academic performance of their students, but to also instill a sense of self-respect and confidence in 7th graders. Some of the stories we heard - yikes! But with challenges come joys & successes, and we couldn’t be prouder of the difference they have made in the lives of so many children. When Ryan called and told us he had purchased a ring, we were thrilled, as we knew these two were destined to be together. After that phone call, we reminisced about Katie’s first visit to our home. It was Homecoming weekend at Mizzou, and wouldn’t you know it-the opponents were her beloved Wildcats from Kansas State. As she sat through a cold rainstorm (in a gold MU poncho, no less) she had to wonder what kind of football-crazy family she might be getting involved with. We were afraid that we might have scared her off, but were relieved to find out that was not the case. :-) We have enjoyed many fun-filled moments with the two of them since--whether it’s playing cards with siblings & grandparents at Christmas, or laughing with (or at!) Ryan’s mom as they watched a DVD of old Andy Griffith shows, we have had many memorable times, and look forward to many years of continued joy & happiness. Amy & Kim, it would be wonderful to have you capture the special moments of their wedding day! Thanks again for your consideration. - Sharon & Steve (aka Ryan's Mom & Dad)
I met Katie this fall at UT where we are both first year law students. Despite being one of the most startlingly gorgeous and intelligent people I have ever met, Katie is humble, kind, hilarious, generous, and-- believe it or not-- painfully shy. Apparently when she and Ryan were teaching, she had to go to the bathroom every morning before class and give herself a peptalk, just so that she could stand in front of the 7th graders without shaking. Though I haven't had the opportunity to spend a huge amount of time with Ryan this year (the nature of being law student), what I have seen of them together is beautiful. When Ryan is around, Katie looks so at ease. Katie and Ryan have such an obvious and deep connection. They truly bring out the best in one another.
Katie is one of the best people I have ever met. Unlike many people who go to law school, Katie is not here for the big firm dollars. She is going to use her law education as a tool with which she can effect positive change in the world. I don't know anyone who deserves happiness more than this girl. She is one in a million, and Ryan is a very lucky man. Judging by this entry essay, he knows it. :) -Mary
I, too, met Katie our first year of law school - and I don't think I have ever met a more spectacularly beautiful woman, both inside and out. Her compassion for others and her deep desire to impact positive change in the world are no doubt are a large part of why Ryan decided to pass that fateful note in "7th Grade." Seeing them together and hearing Katie talk about him inspire me - they are a fantastic example of true love, and I couldn't be happier that they found one another! Congrats!! :)
-WR
The better question would be "how did they NOT win my heart" because then I could just submit a blank comment card. Katie is one of my favorite people in the entire world, and the way her face lights up when she talks about Ryan says all you need to know about their relationship. She is extremely giving without ever asking for anything in return, she's passionate in all of her "save the world" endeavors, she has most dry sense of humor imagineable, and she's absolutely head over heels for Ryan. Take the sappiest romantic comedy you've ever watched, and then make it funnier and take out the terrible cheesy moments and you've got Katie and Ryan. You couldn't pick a better couple.
Kim and Amy, we hope you choose Katie and Ryan as winners in your generous wedding photo contest. But they are really already winners because of who they are and because they have each other. As Katie's parents, we knew any young man she brought to meet us would be special, and we saw the true heart in Ryan as soon as we met him. Katie's beautiful smile had never been so big or spontaneous before! And the tender, open way Ryan looked at Katie showed his feelings for her were deep and forever. He completely endeared himself to us when he called to ask our blessing before he proposed. We were honored to give our blessing and our love and welcome him to our family. Ryan and Katie have grown together and matured through their recent experiences and we are so proud of them. They are passionate about each other and their determination to make a positive difference in the world. Please join in the joy when Katie and Ryan marry. It's going to be a great day, the beginning of a great marriage, and your photos would preserve the moments forever. Thanks so much. Don and Debbie Payne
Ryan is basically one of the kindest people I've ever met. At the college magazine we 'worked' at, he was always there to help or just offer a smile. I've never met Katie, but I'm sure if Ryan picked her, she's as wonderful as he is.. Congratulations you two!
How did Katie when my heart? Intelligent, beautiful, humble, compassionate - all true. As a friend though, what drew me in first was her great sense of humor. I got to know Katie five years ago when we traveled abroad together for a language program. She is a master of wit and timing and she speaks sarcasm fluently. As I can be an impatient and sometimes quick-tempered person, Katie's humor was especially important to me. She can take any bad, scary, frustrating situation and make it hilarious in a hurry. Good humor is important to a healthy relationship and I know this trait will serve Katie and Ryan well in marriage.
Buena suerte!
Although I'm sure the other beautiful couples have great relationships and stories behind them, Ryan and Katie are the most deserving of the win. I, too, "worked" at the college magazine with Ryan, and so I know what a kind, generous, thoughtful person he his. And I have no doubt he's that and more with Katie. It's great to see him/them so in love--or "smitten" as Ryan says :) I wish them the best!
Ryan and I have known each other for a long time, and I always associate him with a quote from The West Wing (we're both fanatics).
In the scene, President Bartlet is about to deliver the State of the Union address, and he's briefly speaking to the Secretary of Agriculture in the Oval Office - the one cabinet secretary chosen that evening to stay away from the Capitol in case the building and all major government officials are blown away at one time. The President first tells him what to do in terms of the Military, the Stock Exchange, etc. Then,
Bartlet: "If anything happens. . . . You got a best friend?"
SecAg: "Yes, sir."
Bartlet: "Is he smarter than you?"
SecAg: "Yes sir."
Bartlet: "Would you trust him with your life?"
SecAg: "Yes sir."
Bartlet: "That's your chief of staff."
Now, I'm no Josiah Bartlet, but I sure like to think that no matter what I'm doing or where I am, Ryan Smith will always be my Chief of Staff. And although I've only had the pleasure of hanging out with Katie a handful of times, she has really charmed me with her kindness, wit, and affection.
They say that aside from your love, the most sacred think you can give is your labor. That these two fell in love while giving their labor to a movement as noble as Teach for America says more about them than I ever could. God Bless Ryan and Katie. (JBS)
This is by far the most adorable story!!! And it's even better because it's told from the guys perspective (always a bonus!). Definitely my favorite!
I also met Katie this fall at UT when we started law school together. She won my heart when I discovered what a generous, humble, and hardworking person that she is. Her passion to change the world is contagious and it brings a smile to my face when I see her eyes light up as she talks about how she wants to make a difference. I have not had the same opportunity to get to know Ryan, but I know that Katie is thoughtful and deliberate in everything that she does and if she has chosen to spend her life with Ryan he must be an AMAZING man!
You truly could not pick a more deserving couple.
I already commented once, but I forgot to mention one very important thing. I think it is probably a wedding photographer's worst nightmare to work with a bride that is high maintenance, fussy, and controlling. For what it is worth, Katie would be the most wonderful, laid back, and grateful bride that you may ever work with.
Like every bride, she wants her wedding day to be beautiful and memorable, but her primary focus is on building a lasting partnership with Ryan. Many brides focus only on the wedding without concern for whether they are building a marriage that will last.
If you are able to preserve Ryan and Katie's wedding memories you will not just be capturing a wedding day, but the beginning of a wonderful and lasting partnership between two people who have set out to make a difference in the world.
Being a sibling that's five years younger, it might be assumed that my brother is the one that looks out for me (and believe me, he does!). However, I think most of my family and friends can tell you that, hands down, I am by far one of the most overprotective little sisters one could ever encounter. There's not a man on the face of the Earth that I look up to or out for than my brother.
When it's come down to Ryan's girlfriends, I've been known to be a skeptic...but seriously, who could ever come close to being good enough for him?! This guy's got it all...loyal and caring beyond doubt, incredibly smart, and perhaps what he's best known for: being full of hilariously witty and sarcastic comments (a Smith family trait that Ryan has mastered to a T).
When I first saw Ryan around Katie, I knew instantly that this girl was going to be a keeper. I saw Ry truly being himself...all smiles, laid back, and dropping those satirical comments with natural ease. Katie, too was laid back and had a killer smile. Although shy and reserved, she made equally hilarious "Ryan-esque" comments...it kind of freaked me out at how similar these two were. I determined that Katie was worthy of my approval.
When Ryan called me and said that he was going to propose, he asked me if it would be ok if I had another sister. When I started crying, he freaked out and thought that it was because I was upset. I started laughing and told him that they weren't tears of sorrow, but that I was so excited to have Katie in the family.
I can honestly say that these two are one of the best examples of a couple I have ever seen. Their mutual dedication to their personal beliefs/goals and to each other is undoubtedly solid. I'm eternally grateful to be a younger sister to them both.
Love you guys,
Andrea
My brother is a hard-working, independent overachiever. Just mentioning Katie makes Ryan visibly relaxed, as indicated by a wide grin and a look in his eye I had never seen from him before he passed Katie the note.
Ryan and Katie have a lot in common: Their work-ethic, commitment to those in need, and sense of humor are just a few. That being said, their ability to depend on each other for strength and emotional support while maintaining their personal independence is what I admire most. Each knows the other needs room to grow, and willingly supports their pursuits toward lofty goals.
I am thrilled my brother found such an amazingly beautiful, intelligent, and compassionate woman in Katie to be his bride. As his older sister, I have never been afraid to question Ryan's decisions. The only question I had for Ryan when he told me he had bought her a ring was, "What took so long?"
SSA
Ryan won our hearts many years ago when he was a little boy and would spend time with us. His smile and mischievous ways captured our hearts and provide many happy memories. :-) Since meeting Katie and getting to know her there is no doubt that she is a good match for Ryan. Grandpa & Grandma K.
I’m in awe of my nephew’s writing of his new found love - but then again Ryan has always kept me in “awe”. Quiet and at times unassuming but never without deep profound thought. Always on top of his game, compassionate with his actions, excelling at whatever path he chooses in all aspects of his life. And yet again - he’s obviously on the right path with his recent engagement to Katie. Two peas in a pod!! The family can't wait for the big day.
Selecting their wedding will allow you to capture this ideal couples’ perfect day - a match made in heaven - right here on earth!!!
Let's hear it for "Chiefer" a/k/a Ryan and Katie!!!
I can definitely vouch for these two! As a coworker and fellow teacher with both Ryan and Katie for our two-year TFA commitment, and now as a co-worker with Ryan on TFA staff, I have enjoyed both Ryan and Katie's friendship for many years now. When two quality, wonderful individuals such as Ryan and Katie get together - you can imagine the joy both of them bring as a unit to all those who know them. I also there isn't much money to be had in the education-world, and as a law student, Katie isn't exactly rolling in the dough, either. For all these two have given of themselves to others in need, writing here to encourage The Silver Lining to offer your services pro bono to Ryan and Katie is the least I can do because they deserve this and more.
Let's see... Where do I start? I have know Katie since I was a little girl. She is a year older than me and we both attended the same school's from Kindergarten clear through K-State. Katie and I became better friends around... hmm... I would say, the seventh grade! Seems to be a significant grade level in Katie's life :)
Katie is a wonderful person that I have shared an enormous amount of memories with. It was more recent that I met the man that stole her heart, Ryan. Katie brought him home for Christmas, and being the brave woman she is, she brought him out among some of her old high school/college friends. I must say I approved in an instant. It was obvious how much the two cared for eachother and I was happy to see Katie so happy. I would just like to send another congratulations to the lovely couple, and as said by others before me, How could they NOT win your heart?
~Ashley Downey
I was fortunate to work with both Ryan and Katie while they were teaching 7th grade. Though they are a team now, they won over the hearts of their students and their colleagues as caring and dedicated individuals. It is these shared characteristics that make them so compatible and enjoyable to be around. We, students and teachers, miss them terribly at school.
Not only are they great in the classroom setting, they are a blast in their private lives. I will always want Katie to be on my team when playing any game especially Trivial Pursuit. It is because of her that I will remember that Balboa was a Spanish explorer who was executed on return to Spain (the game winning answer provided by Katie.)
They have given so much of themselves to those in need, and have been each other's support. Both of them are generous with their laughter and spirit and this is why they deserve this gift. Those of us who know them, know they will have a loving marriage and fun wedding to celebrate the beginning of that marriage. I just hope they will have a talented photographer who is able to capture that in the pictures. Wishing you my best Katie & Ryan - Melina Flores
I also "worked" with Ryan in college, and he's just such an all-round nice person and great guy (and a true, blue Royals fan!). Congratulations on the engagement! I hope you guys win; I certainly think you deserve it!
Ryan and I met playing drums in junior high band. I was one of the few girl drummers at the time but Ryan helped me to not feel like an outcast. I could always count on Ryan to make me laugh or give me a hug. We continued to drum into our high school years, and as the competition increased Ryan never let it go to his head. He was an excellent player and teacher, which is very hard to come by. I have so many great memories of Ryan and how he could make anything fun. Just driving him home in my beat up 1985 LTD was an adventure. Ryan even was kind enough to take me to prom when my jerk boyfriend dumped me. It would be easy for me to go on and on here. Ryan is just one of those genuine nice guys. I feel lucky that I got to share so much time with him growing up. I know Katie must be just as special as he is. I cant wait to meet her some day. Pick them!
I met Katie two years ago when we were interns in Washington DC for our First District Congressman from Kansas. Katie and I were the only two interns in the office, so we bonded quickly. The first thing you notice about Katie is how beautiful she is, so it is easy to understand why anyone would be attracted to her. But after being around her, I got to know what a wonderful person she is. I loved her dry sense of humor, it very much matched my own. While talking to her, you can hear the passion she has for helping others and wanting to make a difference. I believe that Katie will do something very special with her life and will make a significant difference in the lives of others. I met Ryan when he came to visit Katie and I could see the connection between them immediately. They are a perfect match for each other and I am so happy for them. They have both given their time, talents, love and compassion to others, I hope now you will reward them for all they have done.
-SB
I have known Katie since the third grade and she is by far the best friend a girl could ask for. Besides her loyalty and humor, she is gracious and giving. She is just as loving as she is beautiful and intelligent. She and Ryan met during their time working for the elite Teach for America program. I have only met Ryan once, but was convinced simply by the way he looked at Katie that they were the real thing. That look of love that seems to melt. They are both so beautiful--both inside and out. Best wishes to you both! Love you guys!--Jen
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