Raiko and Tyler met at the Downtown Athletic Club in Eugene, Oregon. They didn't really know each other at first, because Tyler was one of the on-duty managers, and Raiko was a swim instructor. Most of their interactions were through check-in to the Athletic Club. They were formally introduced through mutual friends while Raiko was running around playing saxophone. After meeting once more at a birthday party, they exchanged phone numbers. Tyler didn't get back to Raiko for about a month and she thought nothing of it... Until she got back form a band trip!! Tyler asked Raiko to grab some lunch, since she was back in town. Raiko didn't even realize it was really a "date" until Tyler offered to buy her pizza slice at Sy's New York Pizza place in Eugene (this is where you smack your forehead). From that date forward, they became inseparable!
Well, COVID really threw everyone for a loop didn't it? Feeling a little stir-crazy after watching The Office for the 5798062154 time, the happy couple decided to plan a spontaneous trip to the beach to celebrate their birthdays, since they are 3 days apart. How perfect, right? Little to Raiko's knowledge, Tyler was planning a proposal the whole time! The weekend was already going perfectly: the sun was shining all day, Raiko got to shop (WOO!!) and the sunset was AMAZING. On October 17th, 2020, Tyler popped the question, and after Raiko finally stopped crying, she said YES! Thankfully, Raiko's best friend Daphne was able to capture the moment it happened!