The Wetzel and Rottier families have been friends since Joseph and Helen were young and crossed paths at Fourth of July cook-outs and graduation parties. Joseph and Helen connected as adults and started dating during Joseph's gap year. The two decided to avoid a long-distance college relationship and scheduled their break-up, complete with break-up gifts. Five years later, when Joseph and Helen were both living in Madison (in their parents' basements) during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, they started talking and went on several "pandemic dates" including long video calls and walking through empty parks. The two dated long-distance as Joseph finished college, and after graduating from Lawrence in 2022, he moved to Chicago with Helen. Both moved back to Madison in 2023, and Joseph proposed on the balcony of their new apartment, overlooking Lake Monona, on June 24. Helen said yes, and Joseph and Helen are looking forward to forever.