Rebecca & Ryan
RebeccaCanale
&RyanBell
August302025
East Haddam, CT
Our Story
How We Met
Ryan and Becca were sophomores in college at the University of Rochester when they met studying for an organic chemistry exam. Becca's best friend Sydney Lim (who is now a bridesmaid) invited her to study for the exam at Psi Upsilon with a group of football players who she was friends with. Becca and Sydney proceeded to do more goofing around than studying, building molecules and putting them on their heads. At one point, Becca and Ryan got in an argument about football, as Ryan is a Patriots fan and Becca is a Bills fan. Ryan was definitely more focused on studying than anything else, given that he didn't remember who Becca was after meeting her that night. Fast forward to the following weekend. The Rochester football team had lost yet another game and decided to celebrate with a party at one of the upper-classmen off campus houses. Becca tagged along to the party with Sydney, at which point her and Ryan had another chance to talk. This time, Ryan remembered who Becca was, but neglected to ask for her number. Annoyed by this, Becca asked Sydney to subtlety give Ryan her number, which she did. Five days later, still no text from Ryan... Continuing to be annoyed yet persistent, Becca asked Sydney for Ryan's number so she could take control of the situation for herself. She texted Ryan that same day, starting a conversation that would change both of their lives forever. By the end of that month, Ryan and Becca were officially dating. Fast forward again to graduation, and Ryan and Becca were set to move to New Haven, CT to start their first "real jobs." Over the course of those next six years, Ryan would complete medical school and start his residency, Becca would begin her PhD, they would adopt George, and buy a house together. Nine years later, they're finally ready to say "I do!"
The Proposal
The summer of 2023 was a weird time for Ryan and Becca. Ryan was completing his away rotations to preview possible residency programs and Becca was at home writing her qualifying exam paper with George. Given that it was such as chaotic summer, Becca had pretty much ruled out any possibility that an engagement was on the horizon. Simultaneously, Ryan was having the opposite experience. Being apart made him realize that, despite the chaos and craziness of their respective career paths, Ryan didn't want to envision his future without Becca in it. Ryan planned a romantic proposal overlooking the Point Judith Lighthouse in Narragansett, RI. He wrote a thoughtful proposal, arranged a photographer and dinner afterwards with both families. However, unaware of what was in store for the day, Becca took her sweet time getting to Rhode Island. It was her first day at her new clinical rotation and she was exhausted and hungry when she got home after a long day. Instead of immediately hopping in the car to meet Ryan in Rhode Island, she decided to grab some Chipotle and take a quick nap. Ryan, now panicking about the meticulously planned timeline, encouraged Becca to hurry up because we were going to the Point Judith lighthouse to watch the sunset before heading to dinner. Becca arrived to Rhode Island on time (despite the nap), at which point Ryan not-so-subtly suggested that she change into a dress for the supposed dinner reservations he had planned. Well... Becca didn't pack any dresses. With no changing needed, Ryan and Becca headed to the light house to "meet Ryan's family" to watch the sunset. After arriving at the lighthouse, Becca was very confused because she didn't see Ryan's parents car. Ryan shrugged this off and continued to walk up to the best look out point, eventually walking in front of a photographer who was taking photos of the light house. Becca grabbed Ryan's arm to prevent him from getting in the photographers shot, but instead of moving away, he turned and grabbed Becca's hands. Shocked, she said "what are you doing?" and Ryan proceeded to get down on one knee. So shocked in fact that Becca couldn't remember a word Ryan said. Despite the absolute shock and surprise, Becca responded "Of course!" when Ryan asked her to marry him.