Alex and Melanie met in New Mexico through a dating app called Tinder in September of 2022. Alex was stationed in New Mexico for Air Force training and Melanie was in graduate school. Their first date was to coffee, White Sands National Park, and out to dinner. After the first date, Alex and Melanie spent every following weekend together exploring New Mexico. After dating for 6 months, Alex graduated from Air Force training and was officially stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. Alex and Melanie enjoyed a nice vacation driving him up to the Black Hills of South Dakota in April of 2023. Upon first sight of the Black Hills, Melanie knew she wanted to move there with Alex. While waiting in the airport to fly back to New Mexico, Melanie was already looking for jobs in South Dakota. Alex and Melanie did four months of long distance while Melanie finished her Masters degree. Once Melanie graduated, she joined Alex in South Dakota in July of 2023. Alex, Melanie, and their dog, Tamari, have now lived in South Dakota together for nearly 2 years enjoying all the hills have to offer.