Jeff and Michelle met through a mutual running friend. After some time of running into each other at various half marathons, Jeff asked Michelle out to coffee. And though she initially said no, they did eventually go out to coffee and dinner. During the conversations that followed they realized they loved many of the same things; running, travel, reading, and music. The next 4 1/2 years they enjoyed laughing and growing together.

Jeff made arrangements to take Michelle away overnight near Malibu. They went to a romantic dinner at Lure Fish House. Afterward, Jeff whisked Michelle away to Matador beach in Malibu for a sunset beach walk. While strolling on the beach and as the sun was dropping into the Pacific, Jeff found a private area to sit Michelle down. There he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. Michelle accepted with smiles and tears. The pandemic of 2020 delayed their nuptials to 2021.