celebrate with us

Tyler: A video I was uploading on LInkedIn was taking forever. I flipped over to the "connections" tab and scrolled through pictures of strangers. I rarely spend time on LinkedIn, so I didn't really know what I was looking at. But then I saw her. Ashley's portrait popped up and I immediately clicked it. After reading her bio, I knew I had to reach out to her, as intimidating as that was at the time. She's such a gifted writer, beautifully and uniquely her. A few professional messages later, I followed Ashley on Instagram and continued the conversation. My best bet at having a real conversation with her seemed to be inviting her to be on my podcast, so I went for it. She agreed. I never get nervous for podcast interviews, but was sick to my stomach the entire day. I showed up to work in a suit, a hard departure from my normal T-shirt and sneakers. I just knew this conversation was important. I've never been more right. Our very first conversation, recorded and time-stamped forever. Ashley: I was talking business strategy with one of my bests, Summer Friesen driving to an Atlanta training event. She's an absolute champion of people, and she was championing me that day to engage more on social. She referenced an account she thought I should follow for consistent, growth-focused, Christ-centered content - Tyler Jack Harris. I looked him up, followed, and then actually did. FF to March 2020, a LinkedIn connection request from Tyler Jack Harris highlighted as I checked email. Although I've not personally managed my LinkedIn for years, his name was familiar, and respected. I opened to read a genuine note, and responded in kind, grateful for the example he sets. A day later he followed me on insta and after a few exchanges, asked me a question that began the conversation of a lifetime. It was real and basic: what were the main areas I was focused on growth in 2020? My written dm became the outline for a podcast episode; and was our very first conversation.

It was the last thing I expected. Tyler had made reservations at Bourbon Steak the evening our agency's conference wrapped. We were exhausted and heavy at his court-ordered move back to GVL in two days. But I was glad to spend a few cherished hours together inside our infamous, J.W. Marriot (More on this later). What I thought was a romantic date, was his plan to make me "fiance'". In early spring 2020, Tyler made his maiden trip to Nashville and we by sat for an entire day on the J.W.'s lobby sofa. Though we'd met just weeks prior, that was the day we knew. We would come back to that sofa on our 1 yr and other special nights. As we entered the lobby that night for our upstairs "reservation", he suggested we pause on our beloved velvet while we awaited our table. Clueless, I offered "or we could grab a drink at their sky bar?" He won. We sat down, snuggled up, and still clueless, I took 10 or so selfies. Tyler pulled out the journal he'd made entries in during the first season of our relationship. We didn't see or speak to each other, so he'd made practice of writing his heart to and for me. (I've still only read 14!) "I've written another one for you", he said. Since he was leaving town again, I figured it made sense. I leaned against him and listened as the man of my dreams read to me a story all about his - for our life, love and future. His entry ended: "I don’t know what the next year looks like. I don’t even know what the next week looks like. But I know this - I want to be with you. It's as simple and complicated as that. Ashley Tarr, you are the single greatest thing that has ever happened to me and I will spend the rest of my life adoring you." Somehow, I was still clueless. Until he stood, dropped to one knee, and asked me to marry him. I don't know how much of what came next was english but my answer was "YES!" And as soon as he asked, my friend Brit (paparazzi planted nearby) closed in to brilliantly capture the moment.