Anyone who has spent time with Tyler and Laura can easily spot the differences between their personalities. But what they have in common—their values, dreams, and love for each other—is way more interesting. Laura and Tyler met because Christie said so. Laura’s long-time best friend had organized a pool-day at her home with “no odd numbers,” only couples (plus Tyler and Laura). It didn’t take long for the pair to feel attracted to one another, but it did take a while to go on a first date. “We didn’t talk or text. We only sent SnapChats in deer-face for the first three months,” explained Laura. Tyler called it their “security blanket.” After a few group outings, the pair finally met for a one-on-one dinner at Agora in Washington, DC on October 22, 2016.

Five months later, Laura moved from Baltimore to the District. “When you’re both in your 30s & you’ve been in long-term relationships before, you know how it all goes. This time was different. I didn’t want to make the same old mistakes I’ve made before—I wanted to make new ones.” Life in DC had been pretty great. They liked the same things (eating) & they hated the same chores (laundry). Laura enjoyed that their relationship was “a collaboration, not a competition.” And Tyler liked knowing that “she’d go to bat for me—and I would go to bat for her.” The more time they spent with each other, the more they learned from one another. Laura learned to “listen more and talk less.” She was pleased to see how this new patience trickled down into other areas of her life as well. “It’s easy to see the worst in something when it’s different than you. But loving someone with such a different personality has helped me better understand people's motivations and perceptions. It’s made me less quick to judge.” Tyler learned how to hone in on goals and be a little more disciplined. “She showed me that I don’t have to take ‘no’ for an answer—and that sometimes one try isn’t good enough. It’s how she was raised and the reason she has done so much in her life.”

This thing they had was good, and Tyler knew it was time to lock it down. He worked with his mom to pick out the perfect ring from his grandmother’s collection. And he asked Laura’s dad for permission. All he needed now was the perfect “in” to pop the question. So he waited. And waited. He kept the ring close by for weeks (including his overnight Ragnar race). Ideas for grand gestures gave way to something that felt more right for their relationship—a quiet night at home. On October 10th Laura returned from a trip to Charlottesville, and Tyler offered to order Dominos. “You’re trying to get me fat like the cats,” she said. “Well, I don’t want you guys to get away,” Tyler replied “We aren’t trying to get away.” And there—in sweatpants, surrounded by cats and talk of pizza—Tyler found his in. The couple has been excitedly planning their wedding, their future, and their family ever since. They are excited to celebrate with family and friends on June 8, 2019 in Oklahoma City.

We are so lucky to have such amazingly creative people in our lives. Special thanks to Megan Dunn for following us around DC and taking some really cool pictures of us. So much better than our collection of selfies! And a big round of applause for Meg Bresnahan for listening to us talk about our relationship and turning our ramblings into a super sweet story. You ladies are so talented and we are so grateful!! xoxo Laura & Tyler