We're getting married!

After listening to Katy Perry's "California Gurls" on repeat for years, Tyler finally decided to heed Katy's advice, pack his bags, and embark on a new adventure to San Francisco. Tyler moved in with two friends from Virginia Tech (Go Hokies), Alex and Tom, as well as one of Alex's friend's Andy. One October night, Andy said he was going out to dinner with his two best friends Amanda and Stef, and the roommates were welcome to join. After a long day at work, Tyler didn't feel like being social that night so went to the gym to kill time. When he got home around 8:00 he found Andy, Amanda, and Stef sitting on the couch ready to leave for dinner. Stef noticed Tyler right away and quickly asked, "Which roommate are you? Are you the one with the girlfriend?" After thinking that was an odd introduction, Tyler said no, and realized that these were the girls Katy Perry was referring to. Tyler quickly changed his mind and decided to go to dinner with the group. Tyler and Stef sat across from each other and talked the whole night while enjoying appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Almost a year later Tyler told Stef that when he came to the house that night he had already eaten a full dinner before getting home, but joined the group and kept ordering more food because he didn't want his first night with Stef to end. Unfamiliar with the city, Tyler later took Stef out on their first date to a bar frequented by strippers on their break, but that's for another time.

Tyler's philosophy when it comes to drinking beers and eating greasy food is that it's always a little more justifiable if you go hiking beforehand. That way you can easily talk yourself into over ordering. So naturally, one October morning, Tyler woke up and said, "I want to go eat at Sol Food for lunch. Let's go hiking at the Marin Headlands!" Tyler packed the bag while Stef got the dogs ready. Still using the same backpack since college, Tyler has discovered numerous holes that can double as secret pockets. Stuffing the ring in one of the holes, they set out for their hike. In typical San Francisco fashion, the fog was so thick you couldn't see more than six feet in front of you. Tyler suggested taking the ocean trail that followed along the beach in the hopes of overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. About two hours into the hike, no matter what angle found, there was no bridge in sight. Taking a break on a bench before heading home, Tyler said "It's funny how you've told your friends that I've fake proposed to you before. Everybody needs to practice!" Stef laughed, getting up to walk away and said, "Yes, I was actually telling somebody about it yesterday!" Tyler replied with a calm, casual, and definitely not nervous (because of the practice obviously), "Well then how about we make it official this time." When Stef turned around, Tyler was on one knee - holding a box that was seemingly empty. After realizing the box did indeed have a ring in it, it was just upside down, she ecstatically said yes. Note for the next couple: You can practice the words all you want, but jewelers will try to sabotage you by giving you a box made upside down.