It's amazing to think back and realize that before dating, Marissa and Tyler had a history of knowing each other and were closer than they could have imagined. Growing up on opposite sides of Woodbridge High School, they attended the same elementary school (Mawbey Street), middle school (Woodbridge), and high school (Woodbridge). Only one grade apart, they had many mutual friends and could both remember standing in the high school lobby waiting for their buses to swimming and bowling practices or matches. But their paths never really crossed enough to engage in conversation.

After after going their separate ways to college, Riss going to Kutztown University in PA and Tyler at William Paterson University in north Jersey, their paths would magically find their way back together in their hometown of Woodbridge, and the rest would be history!

Tyler: I never expected to wake up to a Facebook notification saying "Marissa Medvetz has POKED you." In fact, I wasn't aware that "poking" was still an option or feature on Facebook! But it lead to the beginning of something amazing. It was a harmless and meaningless poke, but it lead to non-stop conversation for days and eventually a first date.

Marissa: I never thought that "Tyler Mortensen, from high school, would Facebook message me back from an innocent poke," that was influenced by a friend. I was nervous and embarrassed that I poked him since poking was "no longer a thing," but was totally worth it.

A harmless poke would be the icebreaker to an amazing love story!

After just a few days of talking, we were able to find a mutual time to meet up in person. With Marissa still finishing up her Social Work degree at Kutztown University in PA and Tyler still at William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ, we were both conveniently home in Woodbridge for the weekend.


What we both thought was an innocent meet-up at the Firehouse restaurant in Rahway, turned into much more. Neither of us considered this a DATE when we were originally meeting up, but soon after we knew it was. We hit it off right away, talking for hours and losing track of time. It was 1am before we even knew it and stayed until closing, sipping on our seltzer waters (what a cheap date!).


From that moment (the "first date") we both knew there was something special between us. We were just so comfortable with each other and went home that night the happiest we've been in a real long time.

Tyler: I never believed in 'love at first sight,' or that everyone has a soulmate. But Riss changed my mind very quickly. I knew from the first time we met that there was something special between us. She made me feel whole and I could simply be myself around her. This is why just TEN short months after we had been dating, I knew the time was right to ask her to spend the rest of her life with me.

Marissa: I always believed in love at first sight and soulmates, but I believed that not everyone get the chance in life to experience it. And I quickly realized that Tyler was "my person," my soulmate and life-long partner.

On Christmas Eve 2017, little to Marissa's knowledge, our lives would change forever. During gift exchange at Tyler's house, the question would be popped in front of our faMilies. After Tyler had received an amazing gift of an autographed Kevin Harvick racing helmet, everyone would soon forget all about it (sorry Riss!).

Inside a gift wrapped box was an assortment of knick-knacks, including a Ring Pop (the only thing Riss knew she was getting). But what would steal the night was a book; not just an ordinary book, but a scrap book put together by Tyler of many pictures of their relationship spent together thus far, cute and cheesy messages, and most importantly the RING. Placed in the back of the book, inside a hand carved heart, was the real gift of the night.

Tyler: "Yeah, I was nervous. But I didn't realize how nervous I was until I had handed her the gift box and our song began to play in the background. I started to feel shaky and began sweating bullets; it really began getting hot in that room, but that could've just been the ugly sweaters we were wearing."

As Riss opened the gift box, she first took out the book, not thinking too much of it. But soon our song ("Two is better than one" - Boys Like Girls) began to play in the background. Still not knowing what was to come, she continued to scroll through the book until she finally reached the final page. It was full of a message, but she couldn't read it, as her eyes filled with tears of joy. She simply wanted that ring that was sitting there! Without much hesitation, her first words were "For real?". Tyler took that as a YES.

What came next was a kneel to the ground, a question and answer, and then a tackle! The room filled with joy, excitement and tears of joy.

Marissa: "I was beyond surprised. I never expected to be proposed to, not this Christmas at least, especially while wearing ugly Christmas sweaters. I remember feeling hot, tearful (in a very good way), shaky, and my cheeks were hurting from smiling so much :)

When beginning our search for the perfect wedding venue, we had come up with a pretty extensive list of places. Little did we know that the very first venue we visited would be where we would end up! Our search began at the Versailles Ballroom in Toms River. We were absolutely stunned when we walked in with the ballroom, amenities, and cocktail hour space. Heidi, the coordinator, was so welcoming and really helped set the scene for the wedding. We were so tempted to book right then and there, but knew we really should continue our search.

So we did just that. We found ourselves looking at at least a dozen other wedding venues, going to showcases and bridal shows. But nothing was quite as fitting as Versailles felt to us. We could really picture ourselves getting married there, having our first dance on that dance floor in front of all our faMily and friends. So that's where our path lead us back to.

This was the place we knew we wanted to getting married from the first time we walked through those doors. It was the one place we felt fit our vision of the wedding we knew we wanted.

“Once in a lifetime you meet someone who changes everything.”

Marissa and I take pride in our love story and during this unpredictable time, it has become more unique than we could have ever imagined. In our search for eternal love, we have found ourselves changing direction multiple times.

February 10, 2017 was the start of something special. And on December 24th if that same year, we agreed to trying the knot and to spend the rest of our lives together. Whenever that day actually comes, I know I will always have my Best Friend by my side. And that’s all I need — to know I’ll never be alone and that “forever” is a package deal.

After the milestone accomplishment of Riss graduating with her MS in Social Work, on May 24th we were supposed to get married, but like everything else, it was put on hold due to unforeseeable circumstances. By far the most difficult decision we’ve had to make together to date.. But with the health, wellbeing and happiness of our friends and faMily a priority, we know waiting a little longer to tie the knot is the right decision. After all, we’ve already waited 2+ years, so what’s a a few more months ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Hey — no need for sadness! What this extra time really does is let us enjoy the other exciting things we have coming in our life together (like a NEW HOUSE) and set the stage bigger and better for our Big Day! We hope the anticipation becomes too much for you!!!

As sad as it was to not be celebrating this milestone alongside my best friend, in front of our closest friends and faMily.. our love has never been stronger than it is right now. In fact, we have found more than a lifelong partner, but a best friend.

If our journey has taught us anything, it’s that patience is a virtue. Our plans may never go smoothly or as expected, but they always work out better than we could imagine. Postponing our Big Day was not ideal, but we know it was the right decision and will without a doubt turn out better than ever expected when we get to celebrate with you in September 2021 as part of our "I Do 2" event!

BUT FIRST ("I Do") - we are not putting our love on hold, as we collectively have decided to happily tie the knot in the fall of 2020 on the third of September with our bridal party and parents! This special backyard wedding event was live streamed to all that were not able to physically attend, so not a single soul could miss this milestone of ours!

We will both continue to love like there’s no tomorrow. But when tomorrow comes, we can’t wait to celebrate our love with you.