I first met Tyler in the summer of 2017 when I was preparing to start a new job at Purdue University. It is very likely that I actually met him during my interview process, but in all honesty I was so nervous that I barely remember my interview at all, so we’ll start with when I remember meeting him. At the time, Tyler oversaw a residence hall and I was hired into a newly created role to develop a residential curriculum. Our paths didn’t cross too much in my first year, but as my role evolved, I had more and more opportunities to work with him. Eventually Tyler was promoted and became my residential curriculum partner-in-crime.
If I had to pick a person to be my coworker for the rest of my life, it would be Tyler. Our styles meshed so well - he’s a thinker, I’m a doer. He challenged me to think more deeply about our work and our intention behind it and he inspired me to be a better professional - and just a better human in general. He always asked the deep questions and encouraged open-honest communication in all aspects of life. As our co-worker relationship grew, so did our friendship. Tyler and Kyle hit it off over their shared love of golf and tennis. They’d go off on their sporting adventures and I’d meet up with them afterward for lunch and drinks, occasionally exploring downtown Lafayette a little too much if you catch my drift! Tyler mattered so much to me and Kyle that we chose him to officiate our wedding, so when I had the opportunity to reciprocate with my own talents, I jumped at the chance.
Tyler met Megan during our time at Purdue and I was privileged to watch Tyler’s emotional connection to Megan evolve over the months. From pickleball buddies and OTF peeps to realizing the romantic connection and falling in love, Tyler’s excitement about finding his partner for life was evident. He’d come into my office with his tea or coffee and just chat about getting to know Megan at deeper and deeper levels. Megan and I connected over our love of yoga, and Kyle and I were honored to attend a Friendsgiving gathering at Megan’s home. I was truly heartbroken when they moved to Colorado a couple years ago (even though I knew we’d be moving soon too) because it meant I’d no longer have that in-person time with Tyler and Megan on a regular basis.
We kept in contact every few months after they moved to Colorado, seeing them for our wedding and surprisingly again at Thanksgiving in 2021 when we realized Megan had family near our new duty station. Fast forward a little bit to 2022 and Tyler and Megan get ENGAGED! I audibly squealed when I saw the announcement. A couple months after their engagement I ended up going to visit my in-laws in Colorado, so I asked Tyler and Megan if they’d be interested in having me take some engagement photos. I was so excited when they accepted my offer - not only would I get to do more of what I love, but I’d be doing it in a cool new place with people I love.
Tyler and Megan are regular explorers at Horsetooth Reservoir in Fort Collins, so they asked if we could take photos there. I did a quick Instagram search for engagement sessions at Horsetooth Reservoir and wanted to fast forward to the session because the scenery was so incredible! The reservoir stretches over 6 miles long and is a hotspot for a variety of recreational activities from hiking and bouldering to swimming and paddleboarding, but honestly I’d go back time and again just for the view. There’s a little parking area at the top of the reservoir that overlooks the whole glorious scene and it is breathtaking.
As we walked along the paths taking photos, Tyler and Megan caught me up on the life they’ve built together - including a new house and two beautiful dogs - and all the exciting plans for their first day of Fall wedding. After we finished photos, we met up with my in-laws and kiddo to get dinner together. Catching up with them again was so wonderful and reminded me how much friendship means to me. I’m looking forward to meeting up with them again later this month - this time with Kyle - when we head back out to Colorado for another visit with the in-laws, and again for their wedding in the fall!
