Van and Caitlin met in the summer of 2020 at Georgia Southern University, thanks to a mutual friend who invited them out for Mexican and margaritas. At first, they were just part of a big friend group spending summer together. The whole friend group was staying in Statesboro for the summer instead of going home, so they spent most days together. Before long, it was clear they started hanging out more one-on-one. Their inside jokes started to pile up, and their friends began to notice that they were becoming a bit closer than just friends. In February of 2021, Van invited Caitlin over to a cooked meal with flowers, wine, and the question of "will you be my girlfriend?" After three years of dating, they moved in together in Augusta, Georgia, where Van is currently stationed. In September 2024, Van proposed to Caitlin at one of their favorite walking trails in Augusta. This has been a perfect step for them as they prepare for the next chapter in their life.