We both had different plans originally that would have led us completely different directions in life where, odds are, we would never have met. However, through a series of twists and turns in our own individual journeys, we both somehow landed in a classroom in Fairfield, Maine where we would meet.

As my years at Colby studying neuroscience on the pre-med track came to a close, I was faced with an important decision: Do I start medical school immediately after college, or do I take time to be something other than a student for the first time in 22 years and figure out who I am as a person outside of the education setting. As I am no doctor, I think you can all figure out which route I chose to take. During my last semester of college, I was dead set on the idea of pursuing experience in clinical research in the field of neuroscience, but with each interview, I realized more and more that this field would be more research than clinical. I have known from a very young age that I wanted a career that would allow me to work with people rather than sitting at a desk. As the semester came to a close and I prepared to leave Colby, I decided to continue working for Delta Ambulance as an EMT because I already knew that I loved it. Shortly after graduation, I was working 70-90 hours a week as an EMT and loving every minute. In a meeting with my Colby appointed career advisor, she suggested that I should consider advancing my license level in the EMS field to further my clinical experience and demonstrate a drive to gain more tools and responsibility-something that medical school admissions boards would eat right up. So I applied to KVCC to start their Advanced EMT class in the Fall of 2022.

As for Ryder, he knew exactly what he wanted to do very early in life. Ryder comes from a family of Firefighters and he was hooked from the time he was a junior firefighter in Wales, ME. When he graduated from high school in Massachusetts, he came right back to Maine to start the Fire Science program at SMCC as a live-in student. Meaning that as a college student, he would not have the standard dorm room experience since his dorm room was located in the West Kennebunk Fire Station. When he wasn’t in class he was working at the fire station, going to fire and EMS calls. He got his EMT certification and soon after and while in school Ryder felt that he could better serve his communities and better supplement his life financially if he learned a trade. Ryder entered into the trades full time however, an accident at work rerouted his life and changed some of his goals. He continued working while he healed and remained active in his local fire and rescue department as a volunteer Firefighter/EMT throughout that time. Satisfied with his skills and what he had learned, Ryder felt as though his time was being wasted when he wasn't caring for others, so he decided to pursue a role on a career Fire Department and focus his education on becoming a paramedic. Shortly thereafter, he was hired at the Waterville Fire Department where he started his career as a Firefighter/EMT. Waterville Fire required all of their employees to get their Advanced EMT certification within two years of hire, so in no time, Ryder was enrolled in KVCC’s advanced EMT class as well.

In true Devon fashion, I made quite an entrance on the first day of class as I was the last to arrive with only 1 minute to spare before the start of class. Immediately I found my seat in a group of familiar faces of Delta and Waterville Fire Department employees. When I looked up from my desk, there he was. He was the only one wearing his work uniform rather than everyday attire. I could tell right then that he was serious, dedicated to his job, and really cute. Very quickly, I found myself gravitating towards him for group work, texting him about school at first, then all the time. We started spending time together outside of class during which time we often spent hours talking on the couch in my apartment and feeling like no time at all had passed. After just a few weeks of getting to know each other, we made it official on 11/1/22.

Since that day, we have been best friends through the good days and the bad. We’ve spent our time traveling throughout New England and the United States, hiking, fishing, chasing sunsets, skiing, and camping every chance we get. As time has passed, the fun and the trying times have made it clear to both of us that there is nobody we would rather do life with. So, on July 27th, 2025, after a weekend of camping in Eustis, ME with friends, Ryder insisted that we take a detour on our way home to visit Quill Hill near Rangeley, ME. The top of Quill Hill offers a 360 degree view of the natural beauty that both of us deeply love about this state. Even with the wildfire smoke from Canada blanketing the terrain, the views of lakes, rivers, forests, and mountains all around us was breathtaking. As I took in the view, little did I know that Ryder was right behind me, down on one knee, waiting for me to turn around. It wasn’t until I heard him chuckling behind me after he had been there for an eternity that I finally looked behind me. Through the biggest smile I’ve ever seen, he asked me to marry him, and I said… “Are you crazy?” before tackling him with a hug. It wasn’t until 5 minutes later that we both realized that I had completely forgotten to actually say “yes”.