Lily and Cole first met as undergraduates in the geology department at Western Kentucky University. What began as study sessions soon turned into real dates, and by February 2020, they were officially a couple. After graduation, they navigated a long-distance relationship—Lily moved to Nashville for her nurse practitioner program, while Cole traveled extensively as a field engineer during his early years at GSI. Eventually, they spent a season together in Asheville, North Carolina, before returning home to Columbia, Kentucky—this time with a spirited Sheltie puppy named Suki by their side.

Cole proposed to Lily on June 7, 2025, in the serene setting of Percy Warner Park in Nashville, Tennessee. It was a quiet, intimate moment, made even more special with Suki by their side. They spent a peaceful weekend together celebrating before sharing the news with their family and friends.