Following her journey on The Bachelor, Melissa Rycroft rekindled her romance with Tye Strickland; since then, their relationship has flourished.
Rycroft and Strickland first crossed paths at a friend’s gathering in 2006. They had an on-again, off-again relationship before Rycroft appeared on season 13 of the ABC dating series. During the finale, which aired in March 2009, Rycroft accepted a proposal from Bachelor Jason Mesnick. However, in a surprising twist during the After the Final Rose segment, Mesnick chose to end his engagement with Rycroft to pursue runner-up Molly Malaney, whom he later married in 2010.
After her engagement with Mesnick ended in January 2009, Rycroft reestablished contact with Strickland, and the couple got engaged that June. They married in a beach ceremony in December 2009 and welcomed their first child, daughter Ava Grace, in 2011, followed by son Beckett Thomas in April 2014, and son Cayson Jack in May 2016.
In addition to parenting, Rycroft and Strickland cohost the “Logically Irrational” podcast and celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary in December 2024.
“It feels surreal that we have been married for 15 years and have three kids already,…” Rycroft shared on Instagram alongside a candid shot of the couple.
Discover more about the journey of Rycroft and Strickland through the years:
2006-2008
Meeting at a friend’s party initiated the on-and-off relationship between Rycroft and Strickland, which cooled when she went on The Bachelor season 13 in 2008.
“It felt like I would have said yes to marrying Tye back then; I knew he was the one,” she revealed in a February 2010 interview with AL.com.
January 2009
After breaking off her engagement with Mesnick in March 2009 during the After the Final Rose show, Rycroft rekindled her relationship with Strickland. They started dating again about three to four weeks after reconnecting.
“We decided that this time would be different and last,” she said on Us Weekly’s “Here For the Right Reasons” podcast in August 2020. “It was nice to focus just on our friendship during that pause, which ultimately strengthened our bond.”
June 2009
Strickland proposed to Rycroft after just under five months of dating.
“Sometimes everything just works out perfectly,” Rycroft stated on Good Morning America, noting it was an intimate engagement moment, and they celebrated with family and friends afterwards.
December 2009
The couple exchanged vows at a picturesque beach setting in Isla Mujeres near Cancun, Mexico.
February 2011
They welcomed their first child, daughter Ava Grace, in February 2011.
“Our world has changed tremendously over the past two years, and now we’re blessed with our wonderful daughter,” Rycroft remarked to Us at the time.
2012
The couple entertained audiences with their reality series Melissa & Tye on CMT. The program, spanning eight episodes, showcased the trials and triumphs of Rycroft and Strickland as new parents while managing long-distance due to Rycroft’s move to Los Angeles to pursue her career.
April 2014
The couple welcomed their second child, son Beckett Thomas.
“He kept us guessing about his arrival for a month, so we were surprised when he chose Easter Sunday as his big debut,” Rycroft said in a statement to Us.
May 2016
The family grew again with the arrival of their third son, Cayson Jack.
2018
In this year, Rycroft and Strickland started their podcast, titled “Logically Irrational,” focused on topics like relationships, family dynamics, and pop culture.
December 2024
Rycroft shared a touching tribute on social media to commemorate her 15th anniversary with Strickland.
“It’s unbelievable that we have been married for 15 years with three children,” she posted on Instagram, accompanying a photo of the pair dressed up for the occasion.
October 2025
As reported by TMZ, Rycroft was arrested for DWI in September 2025. Allegedly, she informed Texas authorities that another vehicle struck hers and fled; however, a witness disputed her claim.
According to Tarrant County police, Rycroft displayed “bloodshot eyes” and “slurred speech” and had a hint of alcohol on her breath.
Her vehicle reportedly sustained damage to the right side, as well as impact to a nearby tree, according to TMZ. Upon inspection, law enforcement supposedly found “fresh droplets of colored liquids” inside her car.
Rycroft was apprehended and subsequently released on $1,000 bond after approximately eight hours.
In the aftermath, Rycroft’s lawyer, Bret Martin, issued a statement on her behalf.
“Every individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty; we need to return to this principle,” he expressed to TMZ. “An arrest isn’t an indication of guilt.”
Martin emphasized the importance of examining the details surrounding her arrest thoroughly. “We need to allow the legal process to unfold and refrain from conclusions until all evidence is reviewed and presented formally,” he added.
“We ask the public and media to allow the legal situation to progress without undue judgment before all facts are evaluated,” he concluded.
A few days later, Rycroft responded to a comment on Instagram, expressing her emotional state without delving into specifics.
“Things are particularly hard right now, but I’m pushing forward,” she posted on October 6.
