We were introduced by a mutual friend in early 2023. Tyler was visiting New York City for the weekend and decided to meet Dana.

From Dana’s perspective, she had been going on dates in New York but always dreamed of meeting someone she could eventually move to Florida with. So, when she learned that Tyler had the New York personality she was looking for but lived in Florida, she was excited to meet him.

Their first date was drinks at a local bar, and the connection was undeniable. By their second date, Tyler had a bit of wine and, in a moment of tipsy enthusiasm, asked Dana to be his plus one to a wedding. When she asked whose wedding it was, he casually replied, “My brother’s.” Dana was a bit shocked—it was a bold move to invite someone to a sibling’s wedding on a second date! But it seemed Tyler already knew she was the one. When Dana hesitated, explaining that it was a destination wedding and they hadn’t known each other long, Tyler asked her, “How many dates would it take for you to say yes?” Dana replied with a laugh, “At least seven.”

During that second date, a woman came up and offered to take a photo of them, suggesting they could use it for their wedding, not realizing this was only their second time together. Looking back, it feels like a sweet sign of what was to come.

Just a couple of weeks later, Tyler came back to New York claiming it was for Passover, but it was really to see Dana. They went on several dates which were a whirlwind of doing all their favorite things — they enjoyed trying new foods, cooking together, taking a candle-making class, and just spending a lot of time getting to know each other.

After those amazing dates, Dana visited Tyler in Florida where he asked her to be his girlfriend. After he asked her, they went for a walk on the beach, where Tyler would later choose to propose.

Although they dated long distance for many months, it was challenging to be apart. Tyler flew up to see Dana every two weeks for the better part of a year until she moved down to Florida with him in March of 2024. They now enjoy taking walks on their favorite beach where Tyler proposed and savoring all the wonderful aspects of Florida.

They cannot wait to join their family and friends in New Jersey for their wedding in September 2025, as Dana is still a Jersey girl at heart.

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