Our Story

While we often found ourselves participating in the same activities or hanging out with the same friends, our one-on-one interactions were limited. We sat across the room from each other, literally, for around 14 years. Somehow, though, we seemed to always be on the same page. We laughed at the same jokes, gave each other “knowing glances” across the room when someone did something we both found ridiculous, and were prone to participating in similar activities.

Though our families still remained close (as they always had been), our lives as individuals went in different directions after college. Life got hard for each of us in different ways. Tyler’s long-term relationship didn’t work out, and Karmen suffered from physical and mental illnesses that left her with questions. In each of our dark seasons, we both realized that good things in life are not guaranteed. Finding true love is not promised to us, and good health can disappear at a moment’s notice. And worst of all, not everyone you thought was your friend will be there for you. We both longed for a partner, but in a season of waiting, God refined us and taught us to rely on Him.

Fast-forward to Easter 2021. Karmen had learned of Tyler’s struggles, and decided for the first time, she would reach out and say she cared. She told him at church she was praying for him and wanted to be a friend if he needed it. That day, Tyler fell in love with Karmen, and couldn’t stop thinking about her! After we both ended up signing up for the church kickball team that summer, we had an opportunity to finally hang out–just the two of us–for the very first time. Our interactions lead to us texting all day, staying up all night talking, and quickly realizing that we were meant to be together. We fell in love on July 23, 2021.

We dated for ten sweet months before we got engaged on June 3, 2022.