Erica and Tyrees in 2017

Erica and Tyrees met at American University in Washington, DC. They had seen each other around campus, but it wasn’t until the spring of 2016 that they went on their first date to Surfside, an AU favorite. They left that evening with somewhat differing opinions of how it went– Erica couldn’t help but think that anyone that ate elote on a first date must not be that serious about it (and almost 9 years later she still stands by the belief that corn on the cob is not first date food). Meanwhile, Tyrees was very much so serious about it and already picturing a second date with Erica. Suffice to say they overcame that first hurdle, as by that summer the two were inseparable. Since then, they’ve shared boundless love, laughter, adventures, and, of course, plenty of elote.





With Reuben at the Wharf

Fast forward to 2022, their little family grew with the addition of their beloved dachshund, Reuben. The following year, Tyrees pulled off a surprise proposal while the two were visiting NYC. He had planned a whole day of Erica’s favorite activities and capped it off with a boat ride on the Hudson River at sunset with some local family and friends. Tyrees tried to keep the proposal a surprise—but the unseasonably warm 80-degree October weather made his jacket pocket a poor hiding spot for the ring box during a day of walking around the city in the sunshine. He insisted on wearing that jacket all day long, and despite his best efforts to keep the plan under wraps, Erica’s suspicions grew. So when Tyrees dropped to one knee on the bow of the boat, she already knew what was coming—and she couldn’t wait to scream, “Yes!!”





She said yes!!



Now, they cannot wait to “make it official” and celebrate with all of you at one of their favorite places come March!


Currently, 2024