Little did they know that swiping on a dating app would lead to becoming best friends and soulmates. After matching on Bumble the day after Valentines Day in 2024 Jessica sent a very sophisticated GIF in the form of Jimmy Fallon saying hay while throwing hay. A classic Jess move. Thankfully for Jess, Tyler wrote back.

While communicating back and forth for months they learned many things about each other and some things they had in common, mostly a love of food and napping. Tyler told Jess early on that he hated driving so he didn't think it would work as he was in Sutherland, IA and she was in Sioux Falls, SD a good 1 hr 50 min drive. Jess was fine with that for a little while. She really liked Tyler and basically gave him the ultimatum. Please drive here for a date and lo and behold Tyler agreed.

Their first date was at Dave and Busters where Tyler could barely make eye contact with Jess for the first hour or so. After a few drinks and some games, they headed to Morries Steak House for dinner. They continued talking and eating and when they were done decided to go back to play some more games. They ended the night with a kiss.

Now Jess was a date sceptic and with that first hour of no eye contact she wasn't so sure he was into her but the very next weekend she went to Sutherland to see Tyler and help him put his bed together at his new place. On the 5th of May 2024 Tyler asked Jess to be his girlfriend. She was ecstatic.

Being long distance is very difficult; it's not for everyone but we made a list of things we would do to help. We traveled to each other every other weekend. One weekend Tyler in Sioux Falls and one weekend Jess in Sutherland. They also did a weekly facetime date on Wednesday night to just say hi and see each other's faces.

Through the years they did the typical couple things, meeting parents, going on road trips, getting back surgery. Well, that last one wasn't typical, but Jess had to go through one, and Tyler was right by her side and supporting her the whole way.

In May of 2026 Jess made the move to tiny Sutherland, IA. No more long distance for these two. And then on August 1st Tyler proposed with the help of their pug Waldo.

And that's our story.....so far :)