After coming down with COVID on a business trip to Dallas, JT downloaded the dating app, Bumble, hoping to make some connections and pass the time chatting while in quarantine. As fate would have it, his swiping through profiles lead him to Liz. On December 6, 2020, their conversation began, escalating to a first date only a few days later. A fun and flirty dinner at Outback Steakhouse followed by an outing to Topgolf was enough to secure a second date between the two. In the subsequent dates, Liz would eviscerate JT in bowling, struggle to make ginger bread cookies together, and drive through the annual Christmas light display at Coney Island, culminating in the two "making it official" on December 20, 2020. The new year brought a blossoming relationship filled with adventure. However, the summer would present the biggest challenge to their relationship. Liz moved back home to Columbus in June 2021 to pursue her Masters of Social Work at JT's alma mater, the Ohio State University. Despite an hour and a half drive separating them, Liz and JT opted to continue their relationship. Although bi-weekly visits consisting of largely weekends away weren't always optimal, the two made it work and continued dating medium-distance for the next three years. In the summer of 2024, the foundation was laid for Liz and JT to be reunited back in Cincinnati. The two found an apartment together and Liz landed a new job as a therapist, not far from her old stomping grounds of the University of Cincinnati's campus. Before living under the same roof, Liz and JT knew their relationship would need to take the next step, involving a lifelong commitment. JT purchased an engagement ring in late April 2024 and begrudgingly kept the most important secret of his life for nearly three months, picking the perfect moment to pop the question. That moment was July 8, 2024. Fresh off a weekend business trip to Nashville, JT flew into Myrtle Beach, later picked up Liz and her mom to join the Anderson family on their annual summer vacation to Topsail Beach in North Carolina. After weeks of dropping subtle hints and architecting the perfect proposal, JT instructed Liz to meet him on the beach that evening. Her family spectated from the rented beach house as the ocean waves crashed up against JT's ankle. He stood nervously, his arms crossed behind his back, ring box firmly grasped in his right palm. Liz emerged in her new dusty blue dress, walking carefully through the sand into a heart JT carved out moments before. The summer sunset served as the perfect backdrop as JT unravelled the meaning of his hints, dropped to one knee, and asked the most important question of his life. She said yes and the celebration ensued shortly thereafter.