I'd like to add that Season 3 firmly set me in the Rysten camp, because Sandy was becoming too much like Caleb for my tastes.

As for the complexity of Rysten being soulmates, love isn't worth the effort if it isn't at least a little complicated.

Lastly, one idea I had if anyone else who checks this community is an AU where Ryan isn't some kid that Sandy brings home, but a competitor for Kirsten's affections. (Pre-Kandy, slightly post-Kirsten/Jimmy.) I had never seen that idea anywhere before, and it would be interesting to see if anyone could make anything out of that.