Hello friends and family! First off, thank you for coming to this part of the website, it’s the only part I (Tyler) really did so it means a lot to me <3
Steph and I have probably “known” each other for the last 20ish years. I put quotes because we can’t remember meeting until undergrad. Our story unofficially begins in 2001 at Loma Linda Academy in the 1st grade, where we theoretically must have bumped into each other at times on the playground during recess. And keeping with this theoretical theme, we must have done other things together from 1st grade through senior year of high school because we graduated LLA in 2013…whatever those other things were remains a mystery.
After graduating high school, we went our separate ways for undergrad, Steph at the University of California Irvine and myself at La Sierra University. I guess the universe didn’t agree with our choice of being apart because it only took about a year and half for Steph to transfer to La Sierra (I like to think she couldn’t live without me). This is where the story finally gets interesting. First day, second quarter of sophomore year at 10:07am Stephanie walked into our Organic Chemistry class late (of course) and took my breath away. She was wearing all black with heels, a leather jacket, and her hair tied up. This easily goes down as one of my favorite life moments because it felt right out of a movie -- the girl I “knew” since first grade suddenly became my wife! Just kidding on that part though, it would actually take 2 more years for our dating adventure to even start, but I do remember being so confused at how I could’ve missed this beautiful girl for so many years.
Steph transferred to La Sierra as a pre-med student majoring in Biochemistry. I was also a pre-med student but not really set on a major, so I thought “Hey, two birds one stone” and a few weeks later I became a biochemistry major. Good thing Steph is academically brilliant because she had to carry me through that nonsense, but that gave her good practice for carrying me through life. Naturally, studying became my go to excuse to start casually hanging out. I guess I took it too casually because Steph started hanging out with other people, but we’ll fast forward through that part… It’s now the last half of our senior year at La Sierra, we’re both single and accepted to medical school at Loma Linda University. I knew if I was going to make a move this was my time, so here starts my “short” 6-month journey into winning Stephanie’s heart (IYKYK)!
Every group project became a “Stephanie and Tyler project” and every night before a test became an all-night cramming session and with all the brain power I was devoting to hanging with her, I really needed these sessions. There were countless study dates over coffee that sometimes turned into dinner dates, but I guess that was only in my mind because she wasn’t getting the hint. After the 6th month of pursuing, I decided to accept defeat and face the fact she wasn’t into me. But, as I know too well now, we run on Stepho time and after a month of no pursuing, Steph sat me down for a serious conversation and said, “I guess let’s give this a shot.” I was ready right there but remembered the 6 months of work I had already put in, so I countered with, “I’m not interested in giving it a shot, I’m interested in a relationship” and let me tell you, life completely stopped. It felt like my heart was beating on the table in front of us and after a few seconds, which I swear were years, she answered with “okay.” I felt so cool in that moment.
Storm Stepho blew into my life and turned my nicely organized plan upside down and I couldn’t be happier — frustrated and confused — but happy. We went off to medical school together where our relationship was tested many times. For a good two years it was either stress fighting or silent studying. But during these chaotic years I found love. I found myself falling hard for this strong, confident and brilliant girl. She was dependable and constant and the fact she’s gorgeous didn’t hurt either. It took me three years to realize that everything I wanted out of life was staring me in the face every day. Then on May 17, 2020 I asked my best friend to spend the rest of her life with me and she locked in by saying yes. Technically I didn’t get to ask the question and technically it’s because she said no, but she took the ring and now I’m here writing this for our website and the wedding is happening on May 31st, so maybe she won’t remember those minor details. All I know is, I am so in love with this person and I can’t wait to start our life together.
I love you babe, through the Up&Downs.
-Ty