In August 2016, Tucker met Manuela when she was an incoming freshman at UNT because . . . he owned a truck and she needed help moving into her apartment. Apparently, Manuela remembers that they met behind Bruce Hall when Tucker was driving his white truck (2004 Chevy Silverado) with his poofy hair. Their cello professor, Nino Ružević, recommended that Manuela ask Tucker to help her move because he was the only student in their cello studio who drove a truck. When Nino gave Manuela Tucker's phone number, he specifically told her not to date Tucker. "Here's Tucker's phone number. Just don't date him." Obviously, Manuela was not listening to Nino. That same night, they had their first dinner together at Texas Roadhouse. The rest is history.

Manuela is from Croatia, a country in Southeast Europe. (It’s a really beautiful place and where HBO filmed Game of Thrones). Manuela speaks Croatian, which Tucker describes as slamming together Italian and Russian into one language. (Regular talking in Croatian sounds like people are yelling at each other, and it took Tucker a while to get used to this). After 5 years of dating, Tucker cannot properly pronounce Manuela's name. (Or properly speak Croatian) (except the cuss words, "beer," and "let's go"). Tucker visited Croatia three times (2017, 2018, 2022). Tucker proposed to Manuela in Croatia. Tucker and Manuela both went to UNT and have degrees in Cello Performance from there. (That's why the hashtag is #TwoCellos). Tucker and Manuela dated long-distance for one year and three months while Tucker worked in D.C. Tucker's family says that they like Manuela more than Tucker. (semi-jokingly). Tucker has one kidney, and Manuela was born with three kidneys. (Always have a plan B) (No, Tucker does not get drunk faster). Tucker and Manuela both have some grey hair. Tucker and Manuela both graduate in May 2023. (Tucker, law school. Manuela, Masters in Music Performance).