Ben and Ellie met on December 31, 2023 at an 80s themed New Years Eve party. In an attempt to get some new faces in the mix, Ellie's best friend, Sarah, required that her boyfriend, Neil, bring a few of his friends. By then, Ben and Ellie already knew of each other based on a few humorous discussions in which Sarah and Neil flirted with the idea of setting up their best friends. The New Years Eve party became a ploy to finally introduce Ben and Ellie to one another, which of course included well-meaning interrogations of both parties where characters and romantic intentions were evaluated. When Ben and Ellie officially started dating a month later, Sarah and Neil were over the moon at the idea that their best friends ended up together. The happy couple now say "Thanks Sarah and Neil!" whenever they are feeling particularly grateful for their true friends and all the happiness they bring.