Marty and Symone met officially through the Young Professionals group at the Point Church in Fuquay, but they really hit it off at the North Carolina State Fair. Marty offered to drive the carpool vehicle for the entire group, but Symone was the only one to take him up on the offer because she was new to the area. It was the first time they were alone together, and they just clicked on the ride up; they discussed their faith, interests, and their quirky senses of humor. Symone told Marty that she had never won/received a prize at a fair, and also that Vin Diesel is one of her favorite actors (it will become relevant in a moment, promise). Marty kept watch over Symone at the fair; he says that he just felt protective of her, and wanted to stay by her side. But at some point, Symone noticed that he had wandered off suddenly. He was playing a carnival game over and over, and Symone was starting to get worried about the money he was spending! "I was thinking of staging an intervention," she said. Then he turns to her, grinning victoriously, and presents her with a Baby Groot stuffed toy! It was the moment that they acknowledged that there was something more between them; a connection that they may never have made had everyone in the group decided to carpool!

Symone had just graduated from NC State with her Master's degree. Marty had told her, "I'll propose to you after you graduate". But he never said how soon. The plan was to go back to Symone's parents' house and have a nice family lunch after the graduation ceremony. Marty's Mom was going to meet them there. On the way back, Marty pulled over next to Mineral Spring park in Fuquay. "We're a little early, let's take a walk in the park. It's such a nice day!" Symone agreed, and they walked through the park, reminiscing about their moonlit walk, in that very park, on their first date. Caught up in the memories, Symone turned to ask Marty something, only she found him down on one knee, pulling out an engagement ring. She said yes, by the way!