When they first met in 2022, Melanie and Dalton were wearing N95 masks in the copy room of Kealing Middle School. Melanie claims she said "Good morning" in the hall, and Dalton didn't say anything (this detail is still debated). Neither one would speak again for another 8 months. Melanie's art students created "masked" Self Portraits and hung them in a beautiful display in the hallway. She had a dream one night that she and Dalton's classes did a project together. Days later, Melanie noticed that the English classes were writing poems about the portraits. Dalton told her, "The assignment was my idea." In the coming weeks they had lunch together in Dalton's classroom, and finally revealed their faces. It was love at first (unmasked) sight. In 2025, Melanie and Dalton celebrated their three years together, and one year with their border collie, Archer. At home on the weekends, Melanie enjoys painting on the porch while Dalton plays guitar. Many of their nights are spent trying new recipes together, high-fiving each other at the gym, and chasing Archer around the apartment. Archer (see below) couldn't be happier that his parents are finally tying the knot.