Mallory grew up in Lansing, Michigan and spent her college years in Kalamazoo, where she met Ryan. She studied English/Creative Writing and Women's Studies and then obtained a Master of Social Work degree from WMU. Before moving to Korea to teach English, she worked for several domestic violence and child welfare agencies in Michigan and Chicago. Though a social worker at heart, she loves her current job teaching English Conversation at a private high school across the street from Ryan's elementary school. In her spare time, Mallory likes to study a variety of topics including the Korean language, herbal medicine, nutrition, and photography. She loves thrift shopping, reading and writing, good country music, watching Korean dramas (soap operas), and food - cooking it, but especially eating it. Lately, she is trying to improve her photography and writing skills and continues to post sporadically on her blog, A Country Incident. Like Ryan, Mallory is passionate about traveling and learning more about herself and the world and her interests are constantly changing. She loves to hike (despite the fact that she can never keep up with Ryan on the trail) and will always prefer the beautiful outdoors to big cities. She is really excited for her family to meet Ryan's, especially our moms! Why haven't you met before, Moms??

A Michigan man at the core, Ryan split time growing up in White Lake and Highland. To this day White Lake-ian expressions like "barn burner," "that dog'll hunt," and goin' "muddin" charm and bemuse his city slicker better half. In the first of many moves, Ryan left the East side in favor of WMU where he also studied English/Creative Writing and Women's Studies and met Mallory. After stints booking/promoting concerts, graphic designing, and a touch of project management, Ryan has finally landed in a profession he loves, teaching English. When not wrangling gremlins and slapping tiny hands away from his bald head and beard, Ryan spends the majority of his time playing, watching, and writing about soccer. Delighted to be playing for his second international team in Korea, he also attends as many Jeonnam Dragons games as possible, created and writes for K-League United, and holds onto the eternal (and utterly foolish) hope that the Chicago Fire will one day return to glory. He also enjoys a good barley pop, and regularly homebrews to supplement the flow of beer-flavored water available in Korea. Obsessed with lists and self improvement, he's currently working on his 32 Before 32 list which will see him travel a bit, learn a bit, hike a lot, and finally get hitched!

It's not widely known that although Ryan and Mallory both attended Western Michigan University (WMU) in Kalamazoo, we actually "met" on Facebook during our sophomore year. One night, after a graveyard custodial shift on campus, Ryan sent Mallory a message. At the time, this was not considered creepy. 

March 2015

Ryan and Mallory move back to South Korea, this time accepting positions at a private elementary and high school, respectively, in Gwangyang.

May 2016

We're finally tying the knot!

We're making this official for a number of reasons. First, we essentially feel married already and it's absolutely time! Given our desire to travel the world and live abroad long-term, married status will help us do that more easily and safely. We also relish the opportunity to bring together our friends and family, many of whom have never met after all of these years! We appreciate the patience of our loved ones, who have repeatedly expressed excitement as we've waxed and waned about wedding plans.

We're also thrilled that we waited, because we are taking part in what is now an inclusive institution in the USA! Years ago, we made a vow to wait to wed until marriage equality became a reality. We are so happy to be fulfilling that commitment and sharing this joyful experience with millions of people who were previously denied the right.