Carlea and Jeff began their love story at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, where they both studied in the International Rescue and Relief program. They were enrolled at the same school since August, a part of the same program, practicing sports in opposite halves of the gym to no avail. They did not meet until mid-April when Jeff helped Carlea during pretesting for the rescue training courses. Bringing her coffee the next morning during the rest of testing sparked her interest in him.

Parasailing over the sapphire bay of the Caribbean Island of St. Martin, Carlea had no idea what was to come. She was looking out at the scenery while Jeff pulled a small box out of his pocket and showed her. Peaking out was a small diamond of the same color as the ocean they soared over. It was an instant YES!