August 2018, two unsuspecting individuals swiped right on bumble. After a few weeks of messaging, snap chatting, and Emma running away from a chance encounter with Ben on Auburn's concourse, they finally met. That night, Ben texted Emma asking for a ride, but she didn't respond. Unbeknownst to Ben, she was on a dinner date with someone else.... busy shoveling down her dinner to get out of there, and meet guy she was going on a dessert date with after. An hour later, she pulled up to his place in a some-what rusted 2005 Yukon XL and whipped a three-point turn. At that moment, Ben knew his bumble career was done for. The two walked (very quickly) to a popsicle shop in downtown Auburn for their first date. Ben learned he's going to be speed walking next to Emma for the rest of his life, and Emma learned she's going to be laughing next to Ben for the rest of her life.

Ben bought Emma her ring while he was working out in Denver. Upon his return to Auburn, he bamboozled her by making up an elaborate story about a work event he needed to attend in northern Alabama. In reality, he was off to Memphis to take her parents to lunch, and ask for their blessing to marry their daughter. Erika, Peter, and Ben decided that waiting until mid June (when he was originally planning to propose) was going to be hard. The three left the restaurant without deciding upon a date for the occasion... until about an hour later, with the ring burning a hole in his pocket, Ben texted them "Tomorrow is the day". The next evening, Ben and Emma took their dog Ember to their favorite park for walk. Ben was terribly nervous with a ring box tucked in his waistband, but so excited. The two walked off the path and underneath a tree that overlooked a grassy field at sunset. Ben looked to Emma and said, "whats the matter? ... you don't seem very engaged". Emma didn't know it, but that horrible dad joke would start the beginning of their engagement. The two jumped with excitement and took self timer photos to commemorate the event.