Alec and Mallory met during the summer of 2014. Mallory had just finished her sophomore year at K-State where she helped lead a house church. Alec had just finished his freshman year at K-State and thanks to their mutual friend, Riley, had been attending a different house church. During the summer both Alec's and Mallory's house churches combined and met at their friends', the Jenson's, home. Alec thought Mal was cute, but when he found out she was older, he lost confidence and decided not to pursue anything. They became friends from a distance, serving at different house churches, having many mutual friends, and often being thrown into the same gatherings.

Towards the end of 2016, Mallory's and Alec's house churches combined for good in Manhattan. For the next year, they helped lead their house church together. Little to Mallory's knowledge, Alec began to like her the following summer, two years after they had met. Shortly after the summer passed, Alec told Mal how he felt. That began a slow process of Mallory thinking through the information as well as her own feelings. But by November 1st, they were official! As a couple the two have spent more time apart than together - 2 months into their relationship Alec did an 8 month international architecture internship taking him to India, Haiti, and Colorado. When he returned to K-State to finish his Master's, Mallory began teaching in Kansas City. Knowing that they wouldn't be in the same place for almost another year, small talks of marriage began.

Shortly after graduating, though not as soon as either wanted, Alec arranged plans to propose. While the making of the ring took place, Alec took Mallory to many different gardens, restaurants, etc. to throw her off course. Alec also insisted that Mal teach him how to watercolor. On June 1st, their 19 month anniversary, Alec took Mal to the Kansas City aquarium. Afterwards, Mal had plans to hang out with a friend of hers. They only had a little bit of time to kill between the aquarium and meeting up with her friend, so Alec suggested lunch on the plaza and a quick peek at the Kauffman Gardens. While they were at the garden, Alec gave Mal a hand-made card with a beautiful engagement ring watercolored on the front. After reading the card, Mallory could see that Alec was on one knee with a ring! Mallory and Alec plan to live and work in the Kansas City area as well as continue going to house church - at the house where they originally met.