and then, forever.OUR LOVE STORY
From 1 300 km
to forever.
On 11 November 2023, Ryan ran the Jacaranda Half Marathon with his colleague Joel. Waiting at the finish line were Jess, Joel’s girlfriend at the time, and Katryn, her friend from university. Ryan met Katryn at the finish line, little knowing it was the start of a different kind of race.
It wasn’t love at first sight. Katryn was a student writing exams, and she looked the part! But when they met up with friends at Stoetbul for some sokkie that evening, Ryan discovered that the half marathon wasn’t the only thing that would take his breath away that day.
A first date at the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens and a second at Fireroom at Mall of Africa followed shortly thereafter, and so their story began.
In February 2024, Ryan relocated to George for work. In May, he made things official by asking Katryn to be his girlfriend back in Pretoria (at the finish line where they had first met).
And so began a long-distance relationship spanning approximately 1 300 km. There were plenty of phone calls, visits and goodbyes, with a lot of road travel and a few airport trips between them.
In 2025, Katryn moved to Oudtshoorn for her community service year, and suddenly, 1 300 km became 60 km. This chapter brought Garden Route adventures, two adopted kittens, new friendships and some unexpected challenges that taught them to lean on each other and trust God through every season.
In early 2026, Katryn joined a physio practice in George, just 200 metres down the road from Ryan. By now, the pattern was becoming rather obvious: a combination of divine design and a very determined physiotherapist was bringing Katryn closer and closer to Ryan. He certainly wasn’t complaining.
On 7 August 2026, Ryan proposed to Katryn on a beach in Wilderness, and she said yes.
Over the years, we’ve shared countless coffees and rooibos teas, competitive Rummikub games, mountain climbs, running races, adventures and everyday moments. We’ve celebrated friends getting married and welcoming little ones into their lives. After attending a dozen weddings together, we finally get to have our own!
We believe weddings are about more than a beautiful day. They point us to the faithful, sacrificial love Jesus has for His bride, the Church. He came into this world, gave His life for us and rose again, promising to return for His bride. One day, there will be a wedding far greater than ours, when Christ and His Church are united forever.
From 1 300 km to 60 km, to 200 metres, to one home, until death do us part.
Here’s to forever.
