Sarah Cate and Ben both grew up in Tampa, Florida, but surprisingly never crossed paths until 2020. Sarah Cate returned home to Tampa after completing her first semester of law school at the University of Florida to spend the holidays with her family. Ben had already begun his career in Tampa after attending Princeton University. On their first date, Sarah Cate and Ben met for cocktails. After ordering the lounge's award-winning spicy margarita, Sarah Cate picked up the small chili pepper garnish on top of the margarita and told Ben, "Tell me I won't eat this." Ben, as he would, advised her not to. Sarah Cate, naturally, ate the pepper anyway. As tears rolled down her face, she was worried she had blown the date. Little did she know, Ben was smitten, and that was the cherry (chili) on top.