After moving back to tallahassee, Talise got promoted to a Publix across town from where she lived (with a partner and child). A few days into her new position Madison came back from a trip (with her partner) and asked around at work about how the new team lead was, most people said she was kind of a bitch. Then Madison did something very brave and uncharacteristic of herself at the time, she walked into the break room and right up to Talise and introduced herself. Immediately both recall the initial feeling of the meeting, like electricity buzzing and immense unknown potential.

Not long after meeting, Madison found the courage and left her unhealthy relationship with her previous partner. Talise and Madison’s friendship blossomed. Talise worked to untangle herself from her own unhealthy relationship. Together they supported one another through some of the most difficult but brave transitions they had ever made. On January 5th they took a trip to St. George Island to watch the sunset and get dinner. During a walk down the beach Talise decided to be the brave one and asked Madison to be her girlfriend. They try to keep things balanced- Madison started their introduction, and Talise officially started their relationship.

For over a year Talise and Madison had been talking about taking a trip to St. Augustine to watch the sunrise. As they are normally so busy it had stayed a future idea and not a reality. During the holidays Madison pushed for them to make it happen and it was decided they would drive over early on the new years. Unknown to Talise, Madison had gotten the ring just the week before new years, she was afraid it wasn’t going to arrive in time. But supplied with the ring she was determined she would propose - even if she had no idea what she was going to say. The fog the morning of was so incredibly thick it was almost hazardous to drive over at 3am. But Madison drove them carefully to St. Augustine, arriving just in time for the girls and their beloved dog Mars to hit the beach. Madison had hoped they would sit and wait for the sun to rise but Mars had other plans. After a brisk 15 minute walk down the beach the sun was rising, the fog had cleared and it was absolutely stunning. In typical fashion, Talise cracked a joke - “Well babe, if you’re going to propose now is the time!” And much to Talise’s surprise Madison replied with a simple okay and dropped down on one knee. Madison had always said she’d be too nervous to propose but once again she found her bravery and set the next step of their relationship into motion. Of course as they celebrated with one another Mars once again stole the spotlight, yanking Talise away from Madison to go get a good sniff, not caring at all that her moms had just gotten engaged! On the way home Mars got a great nap in and the girls started spreading the good news. Unknown to Madison, Talise had gotten an engagement ring for Madison a few weeks prior. She was just waiting to talk to Madison’s parents and almost brought the ring with her to the sunrise trip to propose herself. Instead, she got to bestow the ring upon Madison when they arrived home before heading to a family dinner to tell more of Talise’s family about the engagement.