Mackenzie and Thomas grew up not far from each other in the neighboring towns of Bloomingdale and Pompton Lakes, NJ merely a few streets away from each other. They met serendipitously while in college through mutual friends. Tom was in college at Centenary College and Mackenzie attended Ramapo College. Tom's college roommate, Tim, was fortunately dating (now also engaged to) a girlfriend of Mackenzie's, Val. The two would often see each other at friendly gatherings and quickly became friends. It was only a short time before that friendship, & a lot of necessary good-timing grew into a romance during the Summer of 2016. The couple's first date included a romantic movie night to see Tarzan. The later dates would be followed by kayaking, ice cream trips, swimming, and attending the wedding of Mackenzie's best friend, Cassandra to her now husband Trevor. Their love grew fonder as they bonded over weekend trips to the Poconos, Syracuse, NY, and even a cruise to the Bahamas.

Nearly two and a half years later, Tom proposed June 15, 2019 at one of their favorite weekend spots, Laurita Winery in New Egypt, NJ. Throughout his planning he had taken months to personally design and create the perfect ring with both his mom, Susan, and Mackenzie's mom, Tish. He knew he wanted to propose in June because it was considered "the month of love." He surprised Mackenzie on one knee in the vineyard during an impromptu photo stop with their friends Paul and Nicolette. (Paul would later become the best man in their wedding) . They could not be more excited to experience this journey with their friends & family in the upcoming weeks.