We met in 2019, thanks to Kyleigh (Ellen’s friend) and her softball teammate. We started talking, and before we knew it, we were best friends and completely inseparable. We spent three years going to different high schools and seeing each other on the weekends. Then Ellen moved to Cookeville for college, while Tyler stayed in Hermitage and later Lebanon to attend Vol State. That meant two more years of weekend visits. After graduating, Tyler transferred to TTU to earn his bachelor’s degree and moved into the building right next to Ellen, which meant we finally get to see each other every day! Tyler proposed on a cruise to the Bahamas. After having the ring for a month and taking many precautions, he finally pulled off the surprise! When he wasn’t able to propose on the beach like he had planned, he switched to plan C and made a dinner reservation at Giovanni’s, a specialty restaurant on the ship. He even talked to the manager under the guise of asking if they could do something special for Ellen’s birthday (which was the next day). The chef hid the ring box under a hollow chocolate dessert, and when Ellen broke into it, she found the box… and was still confused... (she was REALLY not expected it lol) until Tyler grabbed it and proposed! She said yes, then repeatedly said “thank you” while everyone around us cheered. The sweet older man sitting behind us gave us each a two-dollar bill and told us to “have a beautiful life.” After 6 ½ years together, we will be married this summer at Mt. Juliet Church of Christ! Ellen's parents were married at MJCoC in June 1998.