Erica was in Dallas for new hire training with XOJET on the Citation X. DJ was in Dallas for recurrent training with XOJET on the Citation X. That night for dinner, the group of pilots that were in Dallas for new hire training and recurrent, decided to all meet for dinner. Which would be Erica and DJ's initial meeting, shortly after each new hire would be assigned to a XO pilot mentor. Erica was in the group of new hires that DJ had been assigned. After a year and a half of building a friendship, work functions and phone calls, DJ and Erica decided they really enjoyed the other person's friendship/company and thought "maybe this is something!" They would then begin long distance dating in February 2016!

DJ wanted to give Erica a surprise engagement she'd never forget. With most of her family and friends in Texas, he knew his best opportunity was there. Erica and DJ took a trip to her family home on an airpark to celebrate her stepbrother's college graduation. The thing was, if all went to plan, by the time they showed up for the graduation party, Erica would have a ring on her finger. Enter Erica's Dad. Glenn conspired with DJ for months to set a date and time that would bring the whole family together and beautifully crafted a "brunch" that would require Erica and DJ to have to dress up on a Sunday morning. DJ was dressed and Erica was looking beautiful by 9am, Glenn and his wife were conveniently "running late", so he suggested that we take a quick morning drive in the golf cart down to the end of the street to see a newly rebuilt home to kill time. DJ was doing everything he could to suspend Erica's disbelief. Her family never dresses up for brunch... Her stepmom never runs late... A golf cart...to see a half built house...not weird at all! After a completely anticlimactic glance at the house, DJ suggest that they just make a lap around the whole airfield since it is such a nice morning... coming to a stop at the Hold Short line of Runway 17. Then Erica saw something. "There is somebody standing in the bushes!!!" She says. Uh oh. So, DJ hired a photographer... and there aren't too many places to hide by the end of a runway... DJ was hoping that Erica's super active observations would be on vacation... Nope. It's go time! DJ says, "Well, that's weird! He takes her hand, and with a whirl and twist they find themselves right on the numbers of Runway 17, DJ kneels in front of her. Finally realizing what's happening, Erica begins to shake and cry, while DJ says "you make me so happy, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?!" "YES, of course" Erica yells! The photographer hops out of the bushes and snaps away.