We met at a call center where Tyler was a supervisor and Jenn was new to the department. A simple request for help turned into something more. Despite working opposite shifts, we kept finding reasons to talk. The real turning point came during a five-hour drive to San Diego. Tyler, usually quiet, talked the entire way. Before dropping Jenn off at her Airbnb, he stopped by his grandparents' house first. So technically, she met the family before their first official date. That trip made it clear this was more than just a work crush.

The early years weren't always easy. We dealt with cross-country moves, career changes, and family challenges. But we figured out how to communicate and support each other through it. Those experiences made us more certain about what we had. We learned that relationships take work, especially during the hard times.

The proposal was completely unexpected, yet expected, silly, unplanned, and absolutely perfect. After seven years together, we were finally taking our first real vacation. While getting Tyler’s suit tailored, we wandered into a jewelry store and found a ring that was absolutely perfect - vintage looking and, as Tyler said, the most grandma-y grandma ring, which is perfectly Jenn. She insisted that Tyler propose right then and there, so he did. After eight years of building a life together as partners and best friends, we’re ready for this next step.