“You had me at ‘fluent in sarcasm.’” It was a gutsy attempt at a pick-up line, even in an age when audacious online pick-up lines were the norm. Paige and Tyler, both happily single but realizing that there was something missing from their lives, had once swore off online dating. In the Spring of 2016, they both gave in—Paige at coercion of her coworkers at UC Medical Center, and Tyler after seeing the “Coffee Meets Bagel” app showcased on an episode of Shark Tank (when you’re single on a Friday night, at least you get to watch Shark Tank on the regular). Each day, the two left-and-right swiped through a small number of potential mates, wondering if true love could ever be found on a mobile phone app. Then, Tyler came across Paige’s profile. Paige described herself as a super-retired college athlete, a lover of the outdoors, running, coffee, and family, and mentioned one of her greatest attributes as being “fluent in sarcasm.” Tyler was a horribly embarrassing athlete, hated coffee, and only ran if he was being chased by something. He knew she’d love him. After a brief back-and-forth conversation about French fries, Paige’s gargantuan 170-pound Newfoundland named Ellen, and a number of other important topics, the two agreed to meet for dinner on an upcoming weeknight at a Glendale favorite—Cock & Bull Public House.

All first dates are laced with a dose of awkwardness, and this particular date was no different. Ty approached Paige confidently and coolly, and she immediately noticed that he was a nearly-30-year-old-man who still wore Abercrombie shirts. Over a salad (hers) and a burger and fries (his), Paige and Ty began to learn more about one another. They talked about their jobs—Ty an admissions professional at his alma mater, Miami University, and Paige a critical care pharmacy resident at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. They discussed their families, their love of sports, and their appreciation of good jokes. And then, Paige talked about a mythical, prehistoric shark named Megalodon for the rest of the date. Witnesses have no idea how the legend of Megalodon got brought up, but once it was brought up, Paige couldn’t stop talking. According to her, the shark had roamed unchartered waters for centuries, lurking beneath the surface and ready to eat unsuspecting prey. Teeth the size of Buicks had been located on sandy beaches, and grizzled sailors had fought the gigantic beast during epic storms on the sea. Tyler sat across the table bewildered, confused, and wondering what life circumstances had brought him to this moment. But there was something charming about her, and he knew she was special. After finishing their meals and Paige’s diatribe on Megalodon, the two made their way outside the restaurant and walked towards their cars. Ty claims he gave Paige a gentlemanly hug; Paige claims he gave her a “Dad hug” with three small pats on the back, which was supposedly worse than talking about a fake shark for two solid hours. The two agreed that they’d like to see each other again, even though their schedules were jam-packed.

Knowing that she was super-competitive, Ty decided to fill their second date with romance and elegance: a night at Dave & Buster’s competing against one another in arcade games. Paige’s female co-residents were divided. Some said that his date idea was cute and fun; others said that he sounded like a loser and encouraged her to run the other way. Paige (fortunately) sided with the more optimistic group and agreed to go on the date. Chivalry was dead when the two played Pop-a-Shot basketball—one of Ty’s all time favorites. Paige didn’t come within 30 points of him, and Ty insisted they continue playing that game for the rest of the evening. Paige, always savvy, challenged him to a game of air hockey. If it’s possible to draw attention to yourself in a Dave & Buster’s, the two did it. Knotted at 6 goals each, Paige slipped the puck past Ty’s horribly-unathletic save, clinching the 7-6 win. She screamed with the excitement of an Olympic gold medalist, and Ty went limp across the table. For hours that night, they laughed together, and they began to realize how much fun it was to just be together—even if one of them had cheated at air hockey.

Their third date, however, changed everything. The two had plans to go out to dinner, but Paige came down with a migraine in the middle of the day and cancelled. Ty was preparing to leave The next day for a week at the beach in Alabama, and although he understood, he was really hoping to see her again before he left; but he encouraged her to rest and get better, and said that he was excited to see her when he returned. Beginning to feel a bit better later that afternoon, Paige called her Mom, Gloria. Paige let her Mom know that she had cancelled the date, but she began to talk about Ty and the fun they had had on their first few dates. “I think you should still go on the date,” Mrs. Garber encouraged Paige. So, Paige called Ty, and they agreed to meet at Sharon Woods for an evening walk. As they walked around the lake hand-in-hand, they realized how special life felt when they spent it with each other. Paige even walked an extra half-mile out of their way so Ty could avoid a pack of wild, ferocious-looking geese that were prowling and ready to attack (his fear of birds is real and well-documented). A kiss on the bridge sealed the deal, and Paige and Ty began to experience a love that they never knew existed. Little did they know back then that they had both had their last first-dates. Little did they know they were beginning a love story God had pre-destined for years.

Over the next two years, Paige and Ty continued to grow together as a couple deeply in love. They made important memories together—family outings, roadtrips and weekend getaways, weddings, dinners, movies, Kings Island trips, and visits to the puppy store. Each day, Ty fell more in love with Paige, and Paige fell more in love with Ty. On May 19, Ty found his seat at the wedding reception for Paige’s sister and new brother-in-law, Caroline and Mike Preston. He found a note from the newly-wedded couple that said “Did tonight give you any ideas???” He chuckled to himself, because the ring he bought three months prior had been burning a hole in his pocket. The very next weekend, Ty (with the help of friends Chris & Amanda Beatty and TJ and Megan Souder) had organized an elaborate proposal plan—and yes, he had a 7-page itinerary for everyone involved with maps, photos, diagrams, and a minute-by-minute plan for the evening. Ty and Paige began the day by meeting the Beatty’s and the Souder’s for a round of fun at Top Golf. Paige wondered if this might be the weekend that Ty asked the big question, but the deceptive skills of everyone involved threw her off the scent. Ty had told Paige that they would be attending a graduation party for Chris’ little sister, Cait, that evening, and all throughout the day at Top Golf, the Beatty’s and Souder’s mastered an art of necessary deception by talking about details of the party: what they were planning to wear, what food they were planning to bring, what gifts they were going to give. “Huh,” Paige thought to herself, “it really isn’t happening tonight.” After golf, the couples parted. Ty took Paige to Barnes & Noble, and bought a gift for the party later that night. The cashier looked at him like he was crazy. He asked for her to put $1 on the gift card he was buying because his girlfriend was standing a few rows away and he was proposing to her later that night and he needed her to think they were going to a graduation party.

While preparing to leave Ty’s house for the graduation party, he got a call from Kim Nuxhall—a close family friend. With an Oscar-worthy telephone performance, Kim asked Ty if he could help him at the Miracle League. The security system was malfunctioning, and Kim was tied up at an event. He needed Ty to go down to the fields and check everything out to make sure it was okay. Ty wrote down the (fake) security code on a scrap sheet of paper, and asked Paige if they could swing by before the graduation party. The two arrived to the empty Miracle League Fields, and walked up to the main pavilion. After looking around the facility for a second, Ty pointed to the old-school concession board. “Something looks off on that board,” he said. Paige looked over the items for a minute. Hot dogs, $1.00. Coca Cola, $1.00, Bubble Gum, 25¢, Ring Pops, 50¢. Then, she saw it: TODAY’S SPECIAL DIAMOND RING JUST SAY YES 5-26-2018 “Why does that say diamond ring?” she said. Then, pictures of the two popped up on the jumbo-tron video boards at the fields. Ty took her shoulders, told her how much he loved her and that he couldn’t imagine spending another moment of his life without her. Tears streamed down her face as Ty shared his love for her. He got down on one knee, and asked her to be his wife. Paige said yes—much to Ty’s relief—and the two were engaged! As Frank Sinatra’s “For Once In My Life” began to play over the stadium speakers, the concession windows rolled open to reveal Paige and Ty’s closest friends and family members, cheering and shouting in happiness! The plan had gone perfectly—even Baby Sophia, Xander, and Wyatt stayed completely quiet inside the concession stand while Ty proposed! Everyone celebrated together at a party held at the Garber’s house that evening, and Ty and Paige looked back on the last two years and the miracle that had become their love story, thankful and eager for a future life together as husband and wife.