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Ryan Deluca, a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ athletes, has found his happily ever after!
The former Division I college football player from Furman University recently got engaged to his boyfriend, Joseph Robert, in a heartwarming proposal that recreated their first date.
The couple’s love story began over four years ago when Ryan, then a college football player struggling with his identity, met Joseph on Instagram.
Their first date involved a dinner at a cozy restaurant, a scenic drive in a Jeep, and stargazing in the mountains.
Fast forward to now, after Ryan spent six months overseas, Joseph planned a special night to relive that magical evening.
Joseph detailed the romantic moment in his Instagram post: “A little over four years ago, Ryan and I went on our first date. A few nights ago after his six months overseas, we got to recreate that first night. Dinner at the same restaurant, a nighttime drive in the Jeep into the mountains, and cuddles in the back with the top down, looking up at the shooting stars.
“This time though, I got down on one knee and asked Ryan to marry me—one thousand four hundred and ninety-nine days later, in the same exact spot from that first date night. Lucky me, he said yes!”
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Ryan’s journey hasn’t been easy. Growing up in a small town in South Carolina, he realized he was gay in high school but didn’t come out until his sophomore year of college.
Despite his fears, Ryan received immense support from his teammates at Furman University when he came out publicly in 2021.
His courage and openness have made him a role model for many young LGBTQ+ athletes.
The engagement announcement has been met with widespread celebration and well-wishes from the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
As they look forward to their future together, Ryan and Joseph’s story is a beautiful reminder of love’s power and the importance of living authentically.
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