Tysen Grinde & Alyssa Britton
The Story of Tysen & Alyssa
High School Sweethearts
A few years. A thousand little moments.012020 · Wednesday, January 22 · Rochester, Minnesota
The first time they crossed paths
On Wednesday, January 22, 2020, at a very competitive Knowledge Bowl meet in Rochester, Minnesota, a ninth grader from Spring Grove and an eighth grader from Fillmore Central crossed paths for the first time. Tysen noticed “a tall, cute girl sitting as an alternate in the corner,” while Alyssa noticed “a guy with fluffy blond hair who answered every single question.” They didn’t talk to each other that day, but Tysen added Alyssa on Snapchat through friends.
022021 · March 1 → May 25
The first snap
Fast forward more than a year to March 1, 2021. Tysen had a game against Fillmore and remembered the cute, tall girl from that school he had added on Snapchat. He decided to send her a snap. From that point on, they started talking and FaceTiming almost every night, often until the very early hours of the morning.
On May 25, 2021, they met up for the first time and played basketball with a few friends.
032021 · May 31 · The third hangout
Making it official
Then, on May 31, 2021, during their third hangout, Tysen asked Alyssa a very important question: “Do you want to make it official?” She responded with, “Make what official?” before eventually saying yes. They awkwardly hugged, and Alyssa’s mom picked her up and drove her home since Alyssa couldn’t drive yet.
042021–2023 · All the little moments
High school sweethearts
Their high school dates consisted of a lot of hanging out after practice, baking cakes, going to the Rotary Lights every Christmas, watching plenty of movies, and finding any opportunity they could to see each other.
052023–2025 · Different schools. The same team.
Growing up together
Tysen graduated in 2023, leaving Alyssa behind for her senior year of high school. Long distance had plenty of ups and downs. With Tysen playing college football and track and Alyssa busy with her senior year, they barely got to see each other at times—sometimes going nearly a month without being together. Tysen attended Dakota State University to study computer science, while Alyssa went on to South Dakota State University to pursue a degree in nursing after graduating from high school.
College life has meant staying busy: hanging out with friends, studying, making dinner together, Alyssa cheering Tysen on at his track meets, going on dates, and making time for each other whenever they can.
After countless memories together—chasing each other around, navigating some of life’s biggest milestones, cheering each other on, having a few arguments here and there, going to college, and trying to balance everything else—Alyssa and Tysen knew they had found their person.
062026 · May 29 · Breckenridge, Colorado
Colorado
For their five-year anniversary, they drove to Colorado for a few days of hiking. On May 29, 2026, they headed to a hike in Breckenridge while it was somehow snowing and raining at the same time. Tysen, for some reason, wasn’t giving up on this hike. When the sun finally peeked out for a moment, they got out of the car.
Even though they were freezing cold, their toes were soaking wet from hiking through countless puddles, and they had to make a pit stop to pee in the woods because they hadn’t seen a bathroom in hours, they kept going. Eventually, they made their way to a beautiful waterfall.
07And then, a little sunshine
The question
By then, the sun was fully shining. As they stood together enjoying the incredible view, Tysen asked Alyssa to marry him.
Alyssa & Tysen May 29, 2026
If you know Alyssa at all, you know she didn’t keep it together very well. She was so happy that she was still crying days after the engagement.
08The beginning of forever
Engaged
They spent the rest of their trip as a newly engaged couple—hiking, going out for a nice dinner, Tysen trying to stop Alyssa from already planning the wedding, taking engagement pictures, and doing their best to soak it all in.
09With our favorite people
The next chapter
Right now, Alyssa and Tysen are enjoying the last bits of college before graduating—Tysen in May and Alyssa in December. Their wedding day can’t come soon enough, and they can’t wait to celebrate with all of their friends and family.
Thank you all for being part of their journey. They wouldn’t be here without all of the amazing people in their lives!
The next chapter begins
July 10, 2027
Saturday, July 10, 2027
Joy Ridge Event Center
Chatfield, Minnesota