Against the odds, it all started at a restaurant in Springfield, Illinois. Tye was already serving there when I, against my better judgment, took a spot waiting tables alongside him and many others who were soon to become some of my favorite people (including our mutual best friend, Liz, who is officiating the ceremony!)

I will make my mom happy and quote REO Speedwagon, “What started out as friendship has grown stronger…” From the moment we met, we were instant friends. Against the odds, that friendship became more.

Then, Tye moved halfway across the country to Washington, DC. Against the odds, our relationship continued to grow stronger across the miles. Eventually, we decided that driving 26 hours each weekend was not the most logical decision, so I packed up the cats and joined him out here in 2019.

Tye transitioned from welding with the DC Steamfitters Union to project management as I (very much against the odds) became a first-grade teacher at our local Catholic school. Despite one pandemic, many protests, a few riots, and an insurrection, against the odds, we made a happy home together in Capitol Hill.

And, finally, against the odds, I said yes to something I never thought I would say yes to again when he asked to make it official. As I’ve said before, sometimes the someone matters more than the something. We are so happy to share this day with you.