Seven years ago, Carter and Hope met at the University of Northern Iowa. Hope was attending UNI for her undergraduate degree while Carter was attending Grand View University in Des Moines. Hope and Carter had mutual friends from high school who decided to go to a country concert one Friday night. While at the concert Hope ended up standing next to Carter, who later on decided to offer her a drink from a flask hidden in his boot... the rest is history.

Carter and Hope bought their first home together in December of 2019. They decided on a townhouse in Ankeny, Iowa where Carter grew up and where Hope is currently a 1st grade teacher. Hope and Carter signed their closing papers on Thursday, December 20th. On Friday, December 21st, Carter decided to take the day off from work and with the help of many friends and family members, he moved all of their items from their apartment into their new home.. even their cat, Poppy. When Hope arrived that evening, everything was moved in and a photographer was staged in the corner. Carter got down on one knee in front of the fireplace and asked Hope to marry him! The couple then traveled to Hope's sister's house where all of their friends and family were waiting to celebrate with lots of tears, hugs, and of course champagne!