LaTasha and Alexander first noticed each other in 2023 during monthly Zoom meetings for the Science and Technology Entry Program. But their first in-person encounter happened at a student conference in Albany, New York. While both of them absolutely should have been supervising students, Tash was busy bopping around the student party to soca music while Alex admired her from a safe distance. Neither of them made a move that night — partly because they were technically at work, and partly because they were both far too nervous to say hello. Two months later, fate (and professional development) brought them together again at another conference. Tash wasn’t exactly thrilled to be there, but as always, she showed up as a team player. Alex, meanwhile, was excited for the trip with his coworkers — though neither expected to run into the other again. After spotting Tash talking with a mutual acquaintance, Alex finally worked up the courage to walk over and start a conversation. Somewhere between discussing conference activities and harmless workplace small talk, Tash confidently declared herself the “Queen of Karaoke.” Alex flirtatiously responded that he just so happened to be the “King of Karaoke.” Tash mentioned she needed backup dancers for her set, and Alex quickly clarified that he does not do backup for anybody. Naturally, they agreed to meet later that night at karaoke. Ironically, Alex initially skipped karaoke for paint-and-sip, where he started painting the anatomy of a heart. But halfway through, he heard Tash belting Carrie Underwood’s Before He Cheats through the walls next door. Completely captivated, he abandoned the unfinished heart painting and ran into the karaoke room — unknowingly chasing the missing half of his own heart. The rest of the night turned into a full concert: reggae, R&B, alternative rock, and nonstop laughter. At one point, after hearing Alex somehow knew every song she loved, Tash jokingly asked, “Where did you get my playlist?” Before the night ended, she turned to him, wanting to say, “You have to be my karaoke partner for the rest of the conferences.” But somehow, what came was, “You have to be my karaoke partner for the rest of my life.” Alex happily agreed — unknowingly speaking their future into existence. From that night on, Tash and Alex became inseparable. Friends, coworkers, and anyone who witnessed their first karaoke duet all say the same thing: “You two are basically the same person.” Even their son Malachi agrees. In 2024, their story came full circle when Alex proposed during a karaoke performance of Bruno Mars’ Marry You at Japas NY in Manhattan surrounded by both of their families. Despite almost getting caught when Tash spotted her father’s car outside the Uber, the surprise stayed intact thanks to family members literally crawling on the floor beneath the karaoke room windows to avoid being seen. Lost in the music, Tash sang with her eyes closed — only to open them and find the room filled with the people she loved most, cheering her on as Alex got down on one knee. And just like that, the King and Queen of Karaoke officially became forever duet partners.