Hi! We're getting married!

The summer of 2014, Tyler was living and working in Stamford, Connecticut. It was the summer before Kim's senior year and she was interning in Stamford. Despite Tyler and Kim both going to Virginia Tech, they never knew each other there, but had mutual friends. One of Tyler's friends, who went to high school with Kim (shout-out to AV!) said to Tyler, "Hey, a girl I went to Westfield with, Kim Eliasoph, is coming to intern in Stamford for the summer. You should meet up". After getting the download from AV and some Facebook stalking, Tyler decided he had to meet Kim. He set-up a "Virginia Tech Networking Event" for Virginia Tech students/alumni in Stamford. While a number of people showed up, Tyler made sure Kim was seated across the table from him. They chatted about work, life, school, etc. Tyler was smitten. Kim kept her feelings closer to the chest (temporarily). Fast forward a few weeks. The Eliasophs were in town visiting Kim for the weekend. After dinner with her parents, Kim joined Tyler and for a 4th of July party. Sparks flew and the two dated for the remainder of the summer and into Kim's last year at Virginia Tech. After periods of long distance between Connecticut/Blacksburg, then New York/D.C., they are both VERY happy to be together in D.C. at last :).

Tyler and Kim were at the Wilson’s beach house in Avalon, New Jersey, for the 4th of July holiday weekend (is there a theme here?). On the morning of July 4th, Tyler and Kim left the house early to head to "brunch" with the family, which Tyler told Kim was planned for 10am. Tyler and Kim stopped for a planned stroll along the beach to get a beach view of the famous Utz house. After walking along the beach for a few blocks, Tyler stopped, turned, and hugged and kissed Kim. Instead of continuing the walk, Tyler got one on knee and popped the big question! Kim was so happy/excited/flustered, that she didn’t say yes or take the ring right away, she sat on Tyler’s bent knee and hugged him while he continued to hold the ring behind Kim's back. It wasn’t until Tyler asked, “Is that a yes!?” that she took the ring and said, “YES!”. Then, the surprises continued. The whole time, there had been an undercover photographer snapping pictures of the whole proposal. Luckily, Tyler followed directions and stopped in front of the photographer for good footage. There was champagne waiting on the beach (secretly dropped off earlier in the morning by the Wilsons) for Kim and Tyler to enjoy a celebratory toast followed by brunch on the bay. Little did Kim know, the Eliasophs were in the car on their way to Avalon all morning – including Ashley, all the way from San Francisco! When Kim Facetimed the family to tell them the news (which they of course already knew), Ashley was hiding in the backseat (while Amanda was sobbing tears of happiness on the phone). After brunch, Tyler and Kim arrived back at the house. There were decorations and snacks set-up for a celebration, but the biggest surprise of all was the Eliasoph family jumping out from behind the kitchen counter. After that, the two families shared a fun beach vacation. It was a PERFECT week!!