We first met in 2020 at CrossFit Mentality in Mentor, Ohio. Tyler was a coach, and I was an occasional drop-in—just enough to catch a few of his classes and realize we really clicked. Fast forward to early 2022, when Tyler “slid into my DMs” and asked me to dinner. February 28, 2022, became our very first date.

I was so nervous that morning, I drove 35 minutes just to drop into Mentality while Tyler was coaching—partly to confirm the date, partly because my nerves needed a workout of their own. Let’s just say… my anxiety got the best of me in a very real way (yes, I peed in my gym leggings 😳). I prayed Tyler wouldn’t notice, and thankfully, he didn’t. He confirmed our date and went on to coach like a pro.

That night, we went to Burntwood Tavern in Chagrin Falls and talked for four hours straight. The connection was instant. Our second date was a dog walk—simple, sweet, and perfect. I knew then: he was a keeper.

On March 11, 2022, after I completed the CrossFit Open, Tyler asked me to be his girlfriend—with a box of “Chalk-olates” in hand. And just like that, our story began.

When we began dating, life was anything but slow. I was deep in Nurse Practitioner school while working full-time at the Cleveland Clinic, and Tyler was juggling his role as an athletic trainer for Mentor High School, coaching at CrossFit, and building his own path. Despite the whirlwind, we made time for each other—early mornings, late nights, and everything in between.

In May 2023, Colby Jack (my beloved pup) and I moved into Tyler’s home, joining his two cats, Roxy and Logan. Our little fur family was officially blended, and the house became a home filled with laughter, paw prints, and the occasional cat chase.

Together, we’ve explored the world—Florida, Hilton Head, New Orleans, Cancun, Punta Cana, Arizona, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Whether we’re jet-setting or just curled up for a documentary night, we love every moment spent together. We push each other in workouts, sip coffee like it’s a sacred ritual, and never pass up a good brewery or beer tasting.

Our favorite moments often involve the outdoors: hiking, dog walks, and dreaming of the day our cats might join us on a trail (Dana’s dream, Tyler’s cautious optimism). Our love for our fur babies runs deep, and they’ve been part of every chapter.

On May 24th, 2025, we got engaged at the breathtaking Chateau LaFayette Reneau Winery, nestled above the serene waters of Seneca Lake in New York. Surrounded by rolling vineyards and panoramic views, Tyler popped the question in a moment filled with love, laughter, and happy tears.

What made the day even more special was sharing it with most of our closest family—both sets of parents and my sister, Jamie—who were there to witness and celebrate the beginning of this new chapter. It was a beautiful, unforgettable moment that marked the start of forever.