Emily and Mike met on the Jeb! 2016 campaign when Emily was sent to Iowa prior to the caucuses. After the Iowa caucuses, they both went to work the Nevada caucuses for Jeb. Emily ended up heading to South Carolina to be there when Jeb dropped out of the race, however she flew back to Nevada afterwards. Upon her return to Nevada, Mike invited her to spend the day at the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon. They've been on an adventure together ever since.

On March 18, 2018, Mike surprised Emily with the proposal on a sunset walk by the Navy Yard waterfront. They then celebrated their engagement with dinner at District Winery.