James & Brooke met in the Spring semester of 2018 at the University of Cincinnati in Public Speaking Class. Brooke was moving into her senior year while James was about to become a sophomore. Their relationship blossomed over the next few months with many late-night class study sessions, and James frequently walking Brooke home after classes.

The relationship took time to develop as Brooke was not interested in "dating a football player" until one night in June when James had a little liquid courage and asked Brooke out. He also asked if he could come spend July 4th with her and the Murphy's in Granville, Ohio. Brooke agreed and made sure the family was on their best behavior!

Since that July 4th in 2018 the couple have been inseparable including moving in together, a trip to Australia in 2019, countless family vacations, and moving to Nashville with James' football journey in 2021.

It was on the Murphy's family vacation to Florida in March of 2022 that James would ask Jeff & Donna for their daughter's hand in marriage. It was then that a plan was devised to have the engagement happen when James' parents Janine and Andrew visited Granville for Easter.

James proposed on April 15th, 2022, with family present. The couple has since been enjoying planning their perfect day which is taking place on April 27th, 2024.