Max and Jerica were friends before fiances, and their friend group played a big part in getting them together. The University of Illinois Springfield set the scene for their own real life sitcom at the start of their freshman year. Following the age old philosophy that the quickest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, Jerica and her new roommate/best friend Emma, went door to door down the dorm halls with offerings of fruit snacks and friendship. Max, like several others, took the fruit snacks but not the friendship. Not to be discouraged, the girls upped the ante with weekly Tuesday tea parties and eventually drew in new friends, including Max. And through the power of campus involvement (and having nothing else to do in the middle of nowhere), our series regulars were cemented.

Truly distance does make the heart grow fonder, as the two realized their feelings for each other after Max left to study abroad, and the pair took their relationship to the next level over Skype until they could have their first date in person at the start of winter break in December. After graduation, the couple started taking annual vacations in honor of their winter matchup. In 2019, they set off for Seattle, where Max had the ultimate Christmas present in mind - an engagement ring. And while most of their friend group was in on the plan, Jerica had no idea what was waiting for her at the top of the Space Needle. After enjoying the view, Max asked a random couple to take their photo, and then they switched to video as he got down on one knee. Shocked, Jerica squeaked out a yes, and the two spent the plane ride home picking wedding colors.