Codie and Jen met on a dating app in May of 2019. Jen had just finished her sophomore year of undergrad, and was about to leave for the summer when they matched. She returned to Baltimore, leaving Codie behind in Lynchburg. At the time, Codie was working as a night shift correctional officer, while Jen spent her days nannying. Because their schedules were opposite, they got to know each other through quick phone calls during their commutes to and from work. When Jen returned to Lynchburg in August, they had their first date at Applebees. A month later, on Friday, September 13th, they officially began dating. When COVID-19 shut down the world in March of 2020, they were separated once again. But since their relationship had started as long distance- the 5 hour car ride between them was nothing new. Through the challenges of COVID, long distance, nursing school, new jobs, and several apartment moves, their relationship only grew stronger. After Jen graduated from nursing school in May of 2023, they moved in together. On Friday December 13th, 2024, surrounded by close friends, Codie proposed after five wonderful years together!