It was the first day of Single Cam class at the Nicholson School of Communications at the University of Central Florida for two aspiring broadcast journalism students. She sat in the first seat of the row closest to the left wall. The seat behind her was open...so he sat in that one! That's how Melissa Murray and Jack Eble first struck a conversation and from there, a friendship bloomed! From meeting at Memory Mall tailgates to Knightly News stand-up shoots...to parties and Italian-language studies...the two who sat one in front of the other in Single Cam class became best friends throughout their time at UCF and beyond!

Melissa and Jack stayed connected during their television news travels around the country: Melissa in West Virginia and Kansas; Jack in South Dakota and Pennsylvania. Lancaster, PA to be exact! Melissa's hometown! Whether over the phone, a quick "hi, friend!" over social media or meeting up in downtown Lancaster for a boozy brunch, each time they spoke, it was as if the conversation never stopped. Going into 2020, both had left the television news industry and cemented themselves in new careers. The sky was the limit! Until the COVID-19 outbreak started...Toward the fall of 2020, the two single friends did as so many people did during this strange time: scheduled a FaceTime. A long conversation over some wine led to a "hey, let's get together!" So Jack bought a flight, packed his bags and flew to Pittsburgh to meet a "friend." A Mexican-food night, featuring chips and queso, quickly (in hindsight) became their first date. After a fun weekend with friends and football, Jack didn't want to leave a state he worked very hard to move away from...because Melissa was there! Many FaceTimes, text messages and back-and-forth trips filled this friendzone success story until the two began living together in Jupiter, FL in April 2021.

The ring was ready. The only people who knew were the parents (and Brian!). Saturday, July 9 was going to be the day. A nice sunset-at-the-beach picnic was planned. Then, by about 2 p.m., it was pouring. Not simply raining; A torrential Florida downpour. Melissa didn't mind, however, as she was listening and jamming out to the J-Lo documentary on Netflix on volume 75. In the other room, panic. Pouring rain, short pockets not big enough to safely hide the ring. A planned day turned into an improv. The rain stopped. Check. Melissa and Jack went to the beach, enjoyed lovely snacks while watching the sunset on a clear night! Everything was back on! The walk after snacks was going to be the moment. He stuffed the ring in his pocket (which he later found out wasn't so secretive) and the walk started. First two comments out of his mouth on the walk were answered by "what?" Wind had muffled his voice. And it didn't. Stop! Wind the whole (long) walk, people crowding every intimate location and a WEDDING blocked his every Plan A, B and C. Was there anywhere left to go other than the parking lot?! The walk was filled with conversation about what the two were going to do in Asheville, NC the following weekend. It was going to be their first time there after numerous recommendations from friends. She was excited to finally see, and he was hopeful they would be there to celebrate together. One last boardwalk approached before there would just have to be a proposal at the beach parking lot and...no one to be found! No wind! The moment at last. As she walked ahead of him, he asked "One thing I was hoping we could do in Asheville next weekend is possibly discuss our wedding plans?" Dead stop. She slowly turned around with a look that defined "what did you say?" and he got on one knee and asked if she'd marry him! After several "is this happenings" and "oh my gods," she said yes! At the end of it all, he got the answer he was hoping for!