Tyler & Maddy

February 27, 2027 · Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Planning on joining us?

Quick note: this is not your formal RSVP. Right now we are simply trying to get a sense of who is hoping to be in Punta Cana with us. The official invitations and RSVP will come later.

If traveling to Punta Cana is not possible, please know we still want to celebrate with you. We are planning a Celebration of Marriage in Detroit, Michigan in late summer or early fall of 2027 and would love to keep you in the loop for that as well.

Save the Date

These kids are tying the knot!

A young girl wearing a white dress, a tiara, and a veil, smiling indoors with a window and a living room in the background.

Maddy’s Story

Maddy was raised in Bay City, Michigan by her parents, Jim and Michele Forgash. She has two older sister, Mckenna Forgash and Chamaine Meszico. She joined the US Army in 2019 at 17 years old and served honorably for four years. In May of 2024, Maddy started attending Oakland University to purse a degree in Management Information Systems with a concentration in Cybersecurity Analytics and Management.

Young man in a black suit standing next to a vintage silver convertible car outside a modern building

Tyler’s Story

Tyler was raised in Beaver County, Pennsylvania by his mother, Anamarie Bratich. He has two older brothers, Micheal and Richard Smith, and one older sister, Mariah Bondar. Tyler joined the US Army in 2018 at 17 years old and served honorably for four years. In February of 2025, Tyler started his first year as an Electrical Apprentice with hopes of becoming a Journeyman and one day a Master Electrician.

A couple holding hands and smiling, with their foreheads touching in an outdoor setting during sunset, with fall-colored trees in the background.

Our Story

Tyler and Maddy met in February of 2021 in Fort Riley Kansas after Maddy was assigned to the same unit as Tyler. Shout out, D Co, 82BEB! From there, they developed a very close friendship. Over the course of the next couple months, Tyler (along with the help of few close friends) did everything he could to try and get Maddy to spend more time with him and see him as more than just a friend. Things started to change when Tyler invited Maddy to his barracks room where they made a nice dinner together and spent the night watching the Disney movie, Soul. If that’s not a date, I don’t know what is! Maddy left realizing there was something special between them and it was more than just a friendship. With some convincing of our friends, a few of which will be standing with us in February, Tyler finally admitted how he felt!

The pair officially started dating Labor Day weekend of 2021. That next year they spent nearly every day together. Whether it was at their friend’s house, at work, or just mundane tasks, they were never apart. At the end of 2022, when Tyler was nearing the end of his service obligation, Maddy was sent overseas to Poland for 9 months. As Tyler was back home in Pennsylvania and Maddy in Europe, they navigated a year and half of a long-distance relationship. By December of 2023, Maddy was now nearing the end of her military service. She moved back home to Michigan and started school. Tyler, being the loving man he is, moved from Midland, Pennsylvania to Detroit, Michigan to be with Maddy. The two moved in together, into what was formerly Maddy’s grandparent’s condo, in June of 2024. Throughout the next year, they navigated life together. Tyler started his Electrical Apprenticeship and Maddy continued her studies. On July 26th, 2025, Tyler proposed to Maddy in West Branch, Michigan at her family's cabin in the Benmark Hunting Club!