Shortly after Alex moved to Wilmington, a coworker invited her to bar trivia with a work group. She immediately caught Jack's eye, and even though she sat at a different table Jack made it a point to introduce himself afterward (which Alex has no recollection of). After a few weeks of attending trivia and getting to know each other, Jack invited Alex to watch him play beach volleyball - in January. Alex, having just moved from upstate NY, happily agreed and proceeded to order a milkshake and a beer while watching in flip flops - this was paradise. Jack was simultaneously impressed and horrified. Around Valentine's Day, Jack asked Alex to a movie and dinner. Alex had no idea if he meant it as a date or if he was just one of these Southern gentleman she had heard so much about, but after consulting a friend she decided it was a date and dressed up. The night of, when Jack loudly banged on her door and she answered, she found him in his everyday garb of a hoodie and tennis shoes. Alex immediately felt foolish in her dress and realized it wasn't a date. They went to the movie, then afterward Jack drove them to Blue Surf Cafe for dinner and hot chocolate, only to find they were closed. At this point Jack exclaimed "of course they would close early the one time I bring a girl here on a date" and Alex smiled to herself - the date was back on! The rest is history.