Jarod and Emily first met doing volunteer work for an AA committee. Emily says she was interested in Jarod when she first saw him. Emily and Jarod volunteered together on this committee for over six months before they had a full conversation. One summer evening in June 2023, the committee was hosting an outdoors event where Emily and Jarod both worked parking together in a field. This was when they first started speaking and didn’t stop for the full two hour shift for parking. Later that evening Jarod messaged Emily at 11:11 saying how much he enjoyed talking to Emily. Emily and Jarod kept up conversation through the week. On Wednesday Jarod sent a message to the volunteer group late at night asking for help with a flat tire and Emily offered to help out. By Friday, Jarod asked Emily on their first date to a Goose concert at The Louisville Palace. Very quickly the two knew how much they liked each other. It was a true summer romance of many late nights spent talking and getting to know each other.

Jarod and Emily planned a trip to Denver, CO to see an artist, CloZee, at Red Rocks Amphitheater. While on the trip they stayed an extra day to explore the Rocky Mountain National Park. On October 7, 2024, they spent two-three hours driving the ‘Sky Highway’ through the mountains from Estes Park, CO to Grand Lake, CO. Emily had no idea Jarod had a ring in his pocket all day. At the end of the drive the couple pulled off at Grand Lake, a beautiful sight of lake with mountains in the background. While here Jarod told Emily to ask a family walking by to take our picture. Emily snagged the family and handed her phone for a picture. As Emily turned around Jarod was getting on one knee and asking to marry Emily. She was shocked and almost forgot to say Yes! The two were so happy and excited, calling family to let them know. They drove back to Denver and had a celebratory dinner at Cherry Creek Grill.