I didn’t take the best pictures in Mexico but we did have the best time. Take a look at some of the “not so great” photos here.
We did take some good pictures too though– Thanks Brittany!
Author: rkelleyc
Sneak Peak of Our Wedding Photos
The Story of Us
During my sophomore year of college, Jake McKinney gave me some great advice; “Always sit beside the prettiest girl in class.”
I soon found myself seated next to Brittany Simpson in Drama 116, “Perspectives in the Theater.” The class itself wasn’t all that interesting but it was still the highlight of my week to see Brittany two days a week from 9-10am. We’d pass notes, share answers, and giggle throughout the class. For our first unofficial date, we went to see “The Tempest” at Playmaker’s Theatre; a mandatory homework assignment for the class. During the second act, I finally worked up the courage to put my arm around her. Within a few minutes she was fast asleep with her head nestled into my shoulder. I knew this was something special but wasn’t exactly sure where we stood after the play… Had I really bored her to sleep?
Luckily, I knew Brittany was a volunteer tutor in the Spanish department. Even though Spanish had always been one of my best subjects, I swallowed my pride and signed up for homework tutoring with a special request to work with her. The effort was quickly rewarded as it turns out the feeling was mutual and Brittany had been looking for the perfect opportunity to invite me to the APO Christmas dance. By the end of the school year, I had successfully (awkwardly) asked Brittany to be my girlfriend and considered myself the luckiest guy in the world.
Unfortunately, this was just in time for the first major trial of our relationship as I was getting ready to spend six months studying abroad in Spain. We had just exchanged our very first “I love you’s” but were still worried about how the new relationship would endure across 4,000 miles. I’ll never forget crying in the airport as we promised to make it work. Despite the distance, we grew stronger and closer over time as we wrote letters so long it required extra postage. When Brittany asked me what I wanted for my birthday I didn’t hesitate saying, “Come visit me in Madrid.”
We graduated the following year and began our journey into adulthood together. This included another long distance stent as Brittany left for ECU’s PA school, but this time felt so much easier since it was only an hour and a half away. During most of my visits to Greenville, we’d end up at Coastal Fog coffee shop; Brittany studying diligently while I mindlessly browsed the internet. We still managed to fit in lots of exciting things too though, like celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin, climbing a 14,000 foot mountain in Colorado, and spending lots of time with friends and family. Life got even better in Dec. 2021 when Brittany graduated at the top of her class and we were finally reunited together in the same city… this time for good.
Being with Brittany has been the best eight years of my life but my favorite chapter is still to come.
A Tribute to 20 Years of Friendship
Zach has been one of my best friends since we met in Mrs. Hopp’s class in the third grade. Here’s a picture history of our friendship…
Fifth Grade Graduation circa 2005
Always having goggles on hand
A birthday party at Celebration Station
An early camping trip with the Boy Scouts
Ziggy’s to see Zach’s brother play a show, probably around middle school
Figuring out how to use social media for the first time (and how to spell)
But don’t be fooled there were also some tense times along the way too…
Our junior year prom
Sophomore / junior year of high school
High school graduation
A camping trip we almost didn’t make it back from
That time he tried to hit on my sister and her friend…
Halloween 2016 ish (1950’s “Greaser” and Burt Reynolds?)
Halloween 2017 (Samuel Adams and Mr. Gamby from the TV show Vice Principals)
Playing in the snow
Zach, aka the “Godfather”
A canoeing/camping trip
Lots of sporting events (here Mount Tabor won the state championship)
\And hopefully many more good times to come…
She said Yes!
Brittany had no idea.
She had worked until 11pm the night before and was just tired enough that she hadn’t picked up on any of the subtle clues. Most notably, her best friends Carol, Kayla, and Brooke had taken her to get her nails done just a few days before. In Brittany’s eyes, the plan for the day was we were going to have lunch at a new restaurant in the American Tobacco Campus, go Christmas shopping at South Point mall, and then meet up with friends to watch the UNC basketball game.
However, as we approached the lunch spot I pulled her aside and told her that we didn’t actually have lunch reservations. She was confused, but quickly understood what was happening when I got down on one knee. I spoke from the heart and asked her if she would spend the rest of her life with me. It was all a blur– I can’t remember word for word what I said, and I’m not even sure if any words came out of Brittany’s mouth. But she enthusiastically and repeatedly nodded “YES” as she fought back tears and I slipped the ring onto her finger. Meanwhile, Roy, our photographer, emerged from the shadows and a small group of bystanders clapped.
That wasn’t the last surprise of the day, though. After wrapping up photos, we headed home to start calling family and close friends. Unbeknownst to Brittany, all of those people already knew the good news and were waiting for us at Ramblers, the neighborhood bar which was conveniently on the way home. For the second time that day, I could see Brittany’s face fill with shock and then joy as she peered into the glass windows and realized there was a party waiting for her. I owe a special thank you to to Erin, Kayla, and Carol for helping plan and execute this special part of the day.
By the end of the day we were exhausted but filled with love and excitement. We look forward to celebrating with all of you in the coming year!
Pictures of Pictures: A Journey Through Utah’s National Parks
Brittany, John, and I just returned from a long trip through Utah’s National Parks nicknamed the “Mighty Five.” Rather than taking boring traditional pictures, I decided to just take pictures of Brittany taking pictures (and she took a lot).
If you liked this post, check out my very fist post, “Pictures of my Finger in Unique Places in Europe.”
Do You Really Need All Those Things In Your Purse? An informal survey
According to a recent study (by me), the average purse holder has 24 things in their purse at any given time. But do they really need all those things? Take a look at the exclusive results.
Erin, 21 items in purse
Sample of items:
- Two water bottles. (I could understand one, but two is too many).
- An iPad Charger. Doesn’t have an iPad.
- Last week’s grocery list.
- Icy Hot and several very specific medications that she doesn’t need.
Favorite Quote: “I’m not really sure why I have an iPad charger in my purse. I don’t even have an iPad.”
Ryan’s review: Erin’s purse is like your junk drawer. Everything in there was useful at one time but now it’s time to clean it out.
Brittany, 14 items in purse
Sample of items:
- Two dice and one playing card. (Not sure what games you can play with that…)
- Four different types of hand sanitizer.
- Coffee creamer.
- An Apple pencil (but doesn’t carry around her iPad??).
Favorite Quote: “I don’t know. I just feel really bad throwing away coffee creamer.”
Ryan’s review: Bigger purses lead to bigger problems. No one needs that much hand sanitizer.
Kayla, 36 items in purse
Sample of items:
- A good luck charm.
- Lots of old/expired things: Two receipts, a gift certificate, two coupons, one rewards card, and an old name tag.
- An old Apple watch band.
- Touch up, eye shadow, and lipstick even though “I haven’t worn makeup since before Covid.”
Favorite Quote: “Yeah everything in here is expired so I guess not…”
Ryan’s review: Would you carry all of those things around in your pockets? If not, it probably doesn’t belong in your purse.
Carol, 11 items in purse
Sample of items:
- Pepper spray but doesn’t know how to use it.
- One quarter. Just one.
- Eye drops.
- A single pen.
Favorite Quote: “It’s nine years old and I’m not even sure how to use it [pepper spray], but it makes me feel better.”
Ryan’s review: This was by far the cleanest purse but I could still live without most of the things in it.
Laura, 22 items in purse
Sample of items:
- A calendar, sticky notes, business card, and a sheet with all her passwords written on it. Aka all things that could (and should be stored on her phone). I’m also slightly concerned about her digital security.
- A map of the Biltmore house. Only the essentials, right?
- Knitting needles. Maybe I’ll show her how to play games on her phone?
- A pair of scissors.
Favorite Quote: “I put things in my purse so I know where they are… they’re in my purse. Have you seen my purse?”
Ryan’s review: We need to bring my mom into the 21st century… you don’t need to carry around a full size calendar in your purse anymore. Or a map of the Biltmore house?
Linda, 38 items in purse
Sample of items:
- Four pairs of glasses. With a purse as big as hers, she needs multiple pairs so she can find one.
- Pictures to take with her to her next hair appointment.
- A lifetime supply of pens, about half don’t work.
- Several different notepads.
Favorite Quote/ Fun Fact: Linda won a contest at her last high school reunion for having the most things in her purse. The prize was an even bigger purse.
Ryan’s review: This purse is like Hermione’s handbag from Harry Potter… it just doesn’t seem to have a bottom.
𝕴𝖓 𝕮𝖔𝖓𝖈𝖑𝖚𝖘𝖎𝖔𝖓: No, you probably don’t need all those things in your purse. But who am I to say? I don’t have a purse.
Ryan Chugs an Ice After a Disappointing Performance from Carson Wentz
In my fantasy football league, whoever gets the lowest score each week has to chug a Smirnoff Ice. Here’s my latest video. Curious what happens if you get the lowest score for the entire season? Check out my previous post.
Senior Superlatives… Did we get it right?
It’s been nine years since Mount Tabor gave out these prestigious awards. Did we give the right awards to the right people? Cast your vote at the bottom.
1. Most Intelligent: George Oliver
Was this the right choice? Definitely.
George Oliver is no stranger to winning awards dating back to the middle school geography bee. He knows every world capital, several languages, and the answers to every quiz in “Seventeen” magazine.
2. Best Dressed: Matt Stockburger
Was this the right choice? Probably not.
Matt was never afraid to take a fashion risk. Unfortunately, some of those risks didn’t work out, like UGG boots for men, cowboy boots with short shorts, or, my favorite, a crop top with “USC GameCOCKS” on the front (big emphasis on the COCKS).
3. Most Athletic: Neal Callahan
Was this the right choice? At the time, yes. Right now, no.
Neal had six pack abs since elementary school and was a two-sport varsity athlete in high school. But he totally washed out as soon as he went to college and joined a fraternity. Now he’s Uncle Rico from Napoleon Dynamite.
4. Most Musical: Liz Olson
Was this the right choice? Unquestionable yes.
Liz was in all of the high school plays, talent shows, and choral groups. Since then, she’s earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Theory, a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting, and has even performed at Red Rocks amphitheater. This pick was right on key.
5. Most spirited: Kayla Blevins
Was this the right choice? TBD.
According to Kayla, her biggest accomplishment as Senior Class President was choosing the theme for high school football games. Her next responsibility is planning our 10 year high school reunion in 2021. I’m going to hold off on a formal rating until I find out if the party will have an open bar or not.
6. Most Spirited: Sean Gartley
Was this the right choice? Probably.
Sean went to every high school sporting event… mainly just to find out where the after party was… but he was there.
Was Ryan a Ladies’ Man in Middle School? Analyzing photo evidence from old year books
Hindsight is 20:20. Take a look at who signed my yearbook and then vote at the bottom.
Evidence For:
1. Sparkly eyes… check.
2. Back to back phone numbers. Score.
3. Nice.
Evidence Against:
1. Uh oh. This isn’t good.
2. Seriously?? Two in one year really hurts.
3. This is DEFINITELY not what I was going for. Here’s a note I got from another male track team member.
4. I’m 100% sure this never happened.
5… And by ninth grade the only signature I got was from my sister.
In Conclusion, No, probably not.
The big "R" in Ryan 