Jeff and Melanie randomly met on Saturday, February 10th, 2018 at the Endymion Parade during Mardi Gras. Neither planned to attend the parade that day but their friends convinced them to get out of the house and enjoy the day. In hindsight, they are both grateful as their journey began that day.
Jeff proposed on Christmas Day 2020 at Melanie's Childhood home in St. Louis, Missouri. As the family waited to open gifts, Jeff came downstairs with a laptop with a screen of family and friends on Zoom. He said some people wanted to say Merry Christmas. He presented Melanie with a card with a personalized message. After reading the card, he gifted her a box. Inside the box was another box, and another box, and finally a blue box with a beautiful engagement ring. Jeff got down on one knee and expressed his love and commitment to Melanie and she said Yes!