Colin and Julia were assigned to work together on a lab for Physics 100 during their freshman year at Beloit College. Colin's first impression of Julia was, "Oh, thank God someone here is competent", whereas Julia's first impression of Colin was, "Oh, no; this guy looks so stoic, he's probably acting stern to be edgy on purpose." The latter impression was quickly shaken, however, when she made a well-timed "Avatar: The Last Airbender" reference ("...and then everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked!"), at which Colin laughed so hard he had to put his head down for a bit. This inspired a mutual curiosity in each other, which led quickly to a friendship (and to staying up late chatting in the dorm lounge without noticing the passage of time until the sun came up). The romance started with an unexpected kiss which neither individual recalls initiating, and has continued firmly to this day.

In March 2017, Colin took Julia out on a late-night walk to the water tower by campus where they'd had one of their first big conversations, got down on one knee, pulled out a ring box and asked her to marry him. She said yes, and reminded him that he really ought to open the ring box. In October 2013, the pair were sitting in Colin's dorm room after about a month of happily dating. Colin grew quiet, then said slowly, "I don't mean to sound presumptuous...but I could imagine us...never breaking up." Julia responded, "Oh, cool, me too!", before pausing and looking surprised at her boyfriend. "Did we just..." "I think we did." "...Well, nifty." While the official proposal took place recently, the engagement has lasted almost as long as the relationship itself!