Ben and Alsea first met when the Collins family moved to the U.S. in 2015, the year after the Diffenderfer's moved to Eugene. Though they enjoyed being around each other, it wasn't until Alsea's sophomore years and Ben's freshman year of high school that they became best friends when their families decided to go camping together at Honeyman State Park. After spending a week together, they became inseparable best friends - talking every day on the phone and spending time together whenever they could, even before and after sports practices which they shared. Their parents knew that they cared deeply for each other, but Alsea and Ben were in denial. The summer before Alsea's final year of high school, they finally had a conversation about their mutual interest. This went as most things in high school go - dramatically. They decided it was not the right time to date though they still cared for each other and the bond they created. After trying to remain friends did not work out so well, they lost contact. Three years later, Alsea received a message from Ben asking her to coffee to "catch up." When Alsea told her mom about this message, her mom said "I'm sure he wants to date you" to which Alsea laughed and responded: "there is absolutely no way." There was in fact, a way. The time they spent apart allowed each of them to develop their individuality in Christ and become young adults with experiences to show them what was truly important to them in a partner. Becoming best friends once again seemed to take no time at all, and the rest is history.