Ryan and Katharine Hurlburt
Anniversary: August 9, 2008
Ryan’s Bio
- Birthday: November 25, 1985
- Birthplace: Tampa, FL
- College Degree: Associate of Arts Biblical Studies
- College: Trinity College of Florida
- Favorite Scripture Passages: Psalm 119 & 1 John 3:18
- Favorite Place Visited: Cliffs of Moher in Doolin, Ireland
- Dream Vacation Spot: Santorini, Greece
- Favorite Food: Sushi, Spinach Pizza, Chicken Marsala, BBQ, Steak
- Favorite Restaurants: Fuji Hana (Kennesaw), Big Pie In The Sky Pizzeria (Acworth), Carmen’s Diner (Tampa), Hot Rod’s BBQ (Tampa), Boizao Steakhouse (Tampa)
- Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, Sports, the Outdoors, Speaking/Teaching, Writing
- Dreams/Goals: I would like to author a book & learn another language.
Katharine’s Bio
- Birthday: July 2, 1986
- Birthplace: Kansas City, MO
- College Degree: Associate of Arts Biblical Studies
- College(s): Tauernhof Bible School (Austria), Trinity International University (Illinois), Trinity College of Florida
- Favorite Scripture Passages: Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 41:8-10, Philippians 1:6
- Favorite Place Visited: Prague, Czech Republic
- Dream Vacation Spot: New Zealand
- Favorite Food: Chicken Marsala, Greek Salad, Fruit Smoothies
- Favorite Restaurants: P.F. Chang’s, MiMi’s Cafe
- Hobbies/Interests: Photography, Traveling, Mentoring Young Girls, Hiking
- Dreams/Goals: I would like to have my own photography studio & live overseas for a while.
OUR STORY
We first met during our junior year of high school at a Bible hosted at our youth pastor’s house. We became very close friends over the next year, hanging out together and serving at church together. It was only a matter of time before we began to develop a deeper interest in each other.
After making a bet with a friend on the high school ski trip during our senior year, Ryan asked Katharine out. Our first date was January 23, 2004. We went to Carrabba’s for dinner and went to the movies afterward (we saw ‘Big Fish’).
After high school, Katharine left the country for school – at a Bible college in Schladming, Austria her first year and Trinity International University in Illinois her second year. The long distance, though difficult at times, forced us to strengthen our communication. The time apart made our visits that much sweeter (including two weeks in Europe and a surprise visit to Illinois). After her time away from Tampa, Katharine felt that if their relationship were to grow and eventually move to the next step, she needed to come back home. She enrolled at Trinity College of Florida, where Ryan had attended the past two years. We both finished classes in December of 2007 with an Associates in Biblical Studies.
Having purchased the ring back in November, Ryan was only waiting for the appropriate opportunity to propose to Katharine. After spending a lot of time in prayer, he spoke with Katharine’s father and received permission. Eight days later, on January 27, he asked her to go for a “walk”. In the back of her neighborhood in Land O Lakes was a new neighborhood still being developed. We often enjoyed going for walks out there because all the streets were paved and street lamps were installed, but there were no houses and no traffic. We walked and talked for at least an hour about life and the future and where we wanted to go and what we wanted to do. The proposal was very simple. He asked, “Are you ready to move forward?”, got down on one knee and told her, “I would be honored to be your husband. Will you marry me?” She was so taken by surprise that she didn’t believe me until she saw the ring.
We got married on August 9, 2008 at Idlewild in front of almost all of our friends and family. We honeymooned in California, spending two nights in San Francisco, then driving up the coast in a convertible where we stayed for three nights in Mendocino, and then topping it off with four nights in Napa Valley.
To read more about what we will be doing with Wings Global Outreach, click here.
