Kate's coworker, Kristen, and Whit's coworker, Rick, were dating. Rick decided he wanted Whit to be as happy as he was and asked Kristen if she had any single friends near Whit's age. She replied, "Well I have one!" Kristen asked Kate if she was interested in meeting a nice, handsome guy who she didn't know much about but "isn't a serial killer and seems like a good guy". This was June 2020 and there wasn't much of a dating scene in Sonora, and then there was Covid. So she said, "Why not, what have I got to lose!" She texted him first, much to his surprise and they messaged occasionally for a few weeks. They tried to make plans a few times, but toxic smoke air and closed restaurants made things tricky. They finally made plans at Drifter's, a bar and restaurant on the shores of Lake Tulloch for lunch. It was 108 degrees and outdoor seating only. It was too hot to eat, so they had margaritas instead. After a few hours it was time to go but they weren't ready for the date to be over, so they went for a walk in the neighborhood along the shores. They found a empty lot for sale with a dock on the water and decided to put their feet in the water but eventually jumped in the lake. He walked her to her car and asked if they would have to stay 6 feet apart on the second date. She shrugged and smiled.