When Cupid the winged matchmaker takes flight Feb. 14 and couples from every continent have good reason to romance, Ryan and Shannon Perry-Smith of Granite Bay will celebrate a love story they've shared for more than 10 years.

Ryan, the all-city quarterback, who headed north after graduating from Oakmont High School in 1992, left his hometown Granite Bay for University of Oregon football fame. Focused on leading the Ducks in passing and completions, Ryan had little time for the game of finding a girl.

Shannon, a Portland native and also a University of Oregon student majoring in political science, knew of Ryan and thought he was cute, but that's where friends saw an incomplete pass.

"First we met at a party, but we didn't really talk much," remembers Shannon.

"We were both very shy people," adds Ryan. "Had it not been for our friends, I would never have approached her and she would never have approached me."

When friends arranged a group bowling date they predicted the outcome perfectly: no more fumbles! Ryan and Shannon became a couple.

"We could openly communicate and we were obviously physically attracted to each other," says Ryan, looking back on his school days. "I have great memories of my time in college. My family and Shannon were a big part of that, supporting me throughout."

After five years in the PAC 10, Ryan spent a season overseas with the London Monarchs. When the opportunity to play quarterback for a second NFL Europe season would clearly keep Ryan from the life he wanted back in California, he decided to move on.

"In all, the football in college and NFL Europe was a great opportunity and I am very thankful," he says.

Today Ryan, a vice president at the accounting firm Perry-Smith LLP and Shannon, a former contract specialist for Hewlett-Packard, are happily married with two young children and busy lives in Granite Bay.

Every Valentine's Day brings back special memories for the couple, who sealed their fate one Feb. 14 at the romantic Higgins restaurant in downtown Portland. The story begins with a dessert platter dressed in doilies holding a ring in a dainty white box.

"The waiter said it was a special gift for me," remembers Shannon with a nervous laugh. "I opened it and Ryan got down on his knee and asked me to marry him. I was totally caught off guard because he was just getting ready to leave for NFL Europe. He proposed to me right before he left."

Sounds like a playmaker, but back up a few yards and hear Ryan's scramble to get this Valentine's engagement in the works.

"It was the timing," says Ryan. "I was leaving to play football in Europe. We had been apart, but not for months like this. I had to sell my car to pay for the ring. As I was flying up to Portland, my father was shaking his head, but I wanted to make sure because I was going to be gone. Luckily my parents were excited to welcome Shannon into our family and helped me get it all done in time for Valentine's Day."

Dr. Sean Davis, Roseville marriage and family counselor and assistant professor of martial and family therapy at Alliant International University says being in love can give romantic intentions a jump start.

"Love turns normally sane people into (those who are) completely run by their emotions, doing things they may normally never do," says Davis. "I've seen people struggling with a lack of purpose in life and then they fall in love and all of a sudden they have the energy to get through the day, the drive, a purpose, a focus."

Shannon may never have agreed to hop a plane to Europe and visit Ryan during their engagement, but love can conquer all fears.

"I passed out on the plane and woke up with an oxygen mask on my face and flight attendants standing over me," she remembers.

Exhausted from her flight, Shannon didn't realize she flagged down one of London's pricey black cabs for transportation.

"It cost $150 for her to get out where I was," laughs Ryan.

"It seems our love survived many tests with the distance we had between us, being from different states, and both wanting to be near our own families," adds Shannon.

Although leaving her Oregon roots was difficult, Shannon relocated to Granite Bay to start a new family with Ryan.

Today it's all about their children, Chandler, 4½, and Carson, 1½. The couple also shares a love of sports and traveling, spending their free time biking, playing tennis, and escaping to Lake Tahoe or Sun River, Ore. any chance they get.

"Shannon sacrificed a lot for me and left her family," says Ryan. "I always said if it's true love it will persevere and it was meant to be."

This much anticipated Valentine's Day, Ryan and Shannon will have reason to revisit glory days even if football season is over.

"We've been married eight-and-a-half years," says Shannon. "And Valentine's Day will always be special to us."