Tyler is a self-proclaimed "geek of all trades," having worked with or studied statistics, computers, and electronics at various stages in his life. He currently works as an electronics technician in the US Navy, where he maintains RADAR and navigation systems on the USS De Wert (FFG 45), a frigate home-ported in Mayport, Florida. Tyler enjoys a good book, a scenic hike up a tall mountain (do they have those in Florida?), and a trip to the symphony. He is also a long-time sports agnostic who somehow earned a BS at Brigham Young University (BYU) without ever attending a football game.

Sam likes to play with DNA and run marathons. She recently returned to the scholastic lifestyle in order to fulfill a promised goal of obtaining a PhD in biomedical research. She is currently attending the University of Tennessee but will soon become a Gator at the University of Florida so as to be closer to Tyler and enjoy some great football games. She will wear her Cougar tee under her Gator shirt in order to be true to her roots, and will be bringing Tyler along to as many games as possible in the hope of converting him into a true sports fan.

First Contact

In the winter of 2002, Sam and and Tyler were attending BYU in Provo, Utah - Sam was studying Neuroscience and Tyler was pursuing a degree in Statistics. That semester, Tyler worked as a teaching assistant for the introductory statistics course and Sam happened to be in one of his sections. Admittedly, Tyler has only a vague memory of Sam from that class - not surprising given how many students he taught. She, however, remembered Tyler as the nerdy yet cute TA who graded her papers.

They Meet Again

Tyler joined the Navy in 2006 and, after approximately a year of training, was sent to his assigned ship in the spring of 2007. The Sunday after arriving he attended church and there encountered Sam, who after a moment remembered him from their BYU days. They didn't have much contact then - Tyler spent most of the next 9 months out to sea and subsequently moved to another part of town. Sam was busy playing in the lab at the Jacksonville Mayo Clinic and having fun with friends and family.

R U There?

About a year and a half after Tyler arrived in Jacksonville he fell to peer pressure and joined Facebook. Sam, who was already a member, sent him an instant message to say "hi" not long after and they started communicating regularly. There was one difficulty, however; Sam had moved to Memphis, Tennessee that fall to begin a PhD program in biomedical research. When she came home over Christmas break to visit her family, Tyler took her to the symphony for their first date. From there, sparks begin to fly and they began officially dating on Christmas Day.

Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Eventually, Sam returned to school, and most of their communication has been via instant messenger and telephone with an occasional trip between Memphis and Jacksonville. As they grew to know each other, their feelings deepened and they became engaged a few months later.

The Story Continues

Given the complications that a marriage separated by multiple states would entail, Sam applied to transfer to the University of Florida (UF) not long after their engagement. UF interviewed her and, upon discovering how amazing she is, accepted her enrollment for the Fall 2009 semester. They also granted her transfer credit for her first year courses, something they have never done for a transfer student. Sam and Tyler will still have to maintain two households for the time being, but two hours away is far better than two states away.