Clara and Zane connected during the summer of 2017 at Shepherd’s Spring Outdoor Ministry Center working as camp counselors. It was here where they officially became friends, and reminisced when their families were friends from church in the early 2000’s until Zane’s family moved away shortly after. They attended Bridgewater College where they continued to grow with each other through Cru and Aletheia Church which they were both involved in. Clara and Zane officially began dating on October 14, 2017.

On October 26, 2019 Zane got down on one knee on a mountain top in Virginia. Clara and Zane hiked to Mary’s Rock in the Shenandoah National Park. After visiting the crowded overlook, they climbed rock after rock to reach a secluded area with a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains and fall scenery. It was here that Zane stealthily convinced the sole other human being around them to take pictures while he proposed to Clara. Everything was going smoothly until the photographer surrendered Zane’s element of surprise, as he yelled across the way “uhh, Zane? How do I get back to the camera?” Which then initiated Zanes proposal. From here they returned to Harrisonburg where dinner was ready at Zanes apartment, complete with candles and champagne.