Myles and Colleen met in the Spring of 2022 while working as legislative assistants at the Tennessee State Legislature. Introduced through coworker and mutual friend Chase Ingle, they quickly became fast friends themselves—surprised by just how much they had in common. Between both being military brats, sharing Northern New Jersey roots through their extended families (even though they have a strong disagreement in the Taylor Ham v. Pork Roll debate), and a mutual passion for public service and leaving their communities better than they found them, the connection felt easy and familiar from the start. As work lunches with Caleb Wiley turned into longer conversations, it became clear to both of them that there might be a potential for something more than a friendship between them. That summer, Myles found the courage to say it out loud and ask Colleen on a date—despite their shared “no dating people from the legislature” rule. After many honest conversations (a promise to take things slow, with an open door to return to just being friends if needed), and the late-night calls Colleen had with coworker turned friend Sarah Noel and Myles had with long-time confidant Mando Quintana, they decided to see where things could go. Their first date—pizza at Emmy Squared followed by live music and drinks at The Local—was one neither of them wanted to end. Being friends first made the transition into a relationship feel seamless. What they had felt rare, pure, and special—and they both knew it was something worth holding onto. Early on, Myles showed his thoughtfulness in ways that left a lasting impression. When Colleen mentioned she’d never read Harry Potter but needed a beach read for an upcoming girls’ trip, she returned to her desk one afternoon to find books one through three waiting for her, along with a Kindle preloaded with the rest of the series. That same care and effort has continued to define their relationship ever since. Meeting each other’s families only made things clearer. During Colleen’s first trip to visit Myles’s family in Brick, New Jersey, Myles quietly wondered how she’d handle a full-on New Jersey crew even though she has one of her own. But after watching Colleen instantly bond with Uncle Kenny at a backyard family gathering hosted by his cousin Lexi, he knew—this could really work. In true “us” fashion, Myles proposed on a hiking trip to Chattanooga at a quiet overlook in North Chickamauga State Park. As part of their goal to hike every state park in Tennessee, the moment felt perfectly personal—and was a complete surprise. Afterward, they returned to their cabin to FaceTime family and close friends, then went out to dinner to soak in the joy of it all. Today, Myles and Colleen love being teammates in life. She’s on the sidelines at his weekly rec league soccer games, and he’s always game for whatever concert or symphony performance her heart desires. They are Nashville Soccer Club season ticket holders, and love cheering for the Boys in Gold. Their family also includes two very important members—Pike and Rocky—Myles’s dogs, whom Colleen has fully adopted as her own (and will proudly tell you are her biological children). They are so grateful for the friends and family who have loved and supported them along the way, and they can’t wait to celebrate this next chapter together.