Kirklan and Tyra first met at a happy hour at The Admiral in Washington, DC. Tyra arrived late, nearly missing her chance at what would become a fairytale. As she rushed in, flustered, she sat across from a calm and collected, Kirklan, who had just returned to the table. Their conversation, which began with careers, soon flowed into shared stories of family and life. Before Tyra left, she exchanged numbers with the group, including Kirklan—unaware that this simple moment would spark something much greater.

A few texts were exchanged, but their initial conversation lost momentum, drifting apart. However, a month later, Tyra couldn’t shake the memory of that night. She reached out to Kirklan (slid in his DMs), and they reconnected on what became their "unofficial first date" or "excursion"—exploring the rich and complex histories of the African Diaspora at the Afro-Atlantic Histories art exhibit at The National Gallery of Art. Their connection was so strong that what started as a simple afternoon outing at 1 PM turned into an adventure that lasted over 12 hours—stretching until 2 AM! Dinner and cocktails followed the exhibit, where they spent hours unraveling the complexities of each other. From that day on, they were inseparable.

With their bond growing stronger, Kirklan and Tyra embarked on countless adventures together. Over the next few years, they traveled to new places, learned about different cultures, tasted the world through food, and even took on quirky board games—always playing to win. Whether exploring new destinations or simply sharing quiet moments at home, their connection deepened. At the heart of their journey was their shared faith, guiding them through every twist and turn. Along the way, they realized they wanted to commit to walking this path hand in hand—forever.

On August 10, 2024, Kirklan decided to make that commitment official. He planned an intimate picnic at Hains Point, surrounded by family and friends—the very place where he had once asked Tyra to be his girlfriend. Tyra, completely unaware, thought the picnic was a business venture to support Kirklan’s craft cocktail brand and her luxury picnic business. But instead of business plans, Kirklan had plans of his own: a proposal—one that sealed their love story in the most meaningful way.

Now, as they prepare to take the next step in their journey, Tyra and Kirklan are excited for all the future holds. They look forward to a lifetime of shared growth, new experiences, and laughter—together. They’ll continue exploring the world, diving into their love for community, deepening their faith, and, of course, enjoying life with their beloved pup, Apollo, by their side. The adventure is just beginning!