Although Tandy & Jeff technically met in January 2006 during a USC freshman year Writing 140 class and were friendly mutual acquaintances throughout their college years, they were just friends until they had their first dance & kiss at a 2011 New Year’s Eve party at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego, California. They both ended up at the party by happenstance. Jeff was invited by a few of his best friends from USC, after several folks had fallen sick with an untimely bout of stomach flu. Tandy was invited by her close USC friend, Claire Zeigler and her now-husband, Michael Maxwell, who were celebrating their own anniversary. Tandy, Maxwell, and Claire met up with a larger group of mutual friends from college, including Jeff. After a few Red Bulls and glasses of champagne, Tandy and Jeff rang in the new year together, never anticipating that New Year’s Eve would become their future anniversary.

Tandy & Jeff got engaged on 7.23.2020 while on vacation in Vail, Colorado, just a few days after they relocated from San Francisco to Denver for Jeff’s fellowship. Jeff knew he was going to propose during the trip but wasn't sure when, so he carried the engagement ring that he & Tandy designed earlier that year together on his person for 2 days before popping the question. Luckily, Tandy planned a day trip to a private ranch outside of Vail for the next day, where they would hike & canoe. On 7.23, Jeff & Tandy loaded up on bagels and snacks and headed to Piney River Ranch, where Jeff suggested they read by the river instead of going canoeing. (Jeff was convinced Tandy would somehow drop the ring in the water!) Jeff waited for a break in the summer thunderstorm clouds, the sun came out, and he asked Tandy to marry him. Tandy happily agreed, and they celebrated over dinner back in Vail Village.