Kara and Tyler’s story begins in a gym. If you know Kara, you know she has spent a lot of time in gyms. In spring 2018, she decided to join CrossFit SCV, the very gym where Tyler was coaching. (Sidenote: That Christmas, her mom purchased a CrossFit gift card for her. Upon entering the gym to claim it, Tyler recognized her as his college English instructor. Small world.) “Yea, I know Kara,” he said nonchalantly. But his heart had already started fluttering for her.

Kara and Tyler remained friends and gym rats through 2019. She later became a coach too. They worked out, competed and hung out together. “Friends first is a good foundation,” Kara says. Tyler says he was her “not boyfriend/boyfriend” for a year. But he waited patiently for Kara to figure out what he already knew. When they officially started dating in September 2020, Tyler began saving all his coaching money to buy a ring. “I’m only doing this once,” he said later.

Since that time, they have shared the joys of travel, family and fitness, but they have also faced challenges including the isolation of three Covid quarantined Christmases. These and other challenges have brought them closer and made them resilient. They are looking forward to what life brings them and are excited to celebrate their love with you at the wedding.