Mark and Grace both grew up on the outskirts of Porterville, California -- Mark in Springville and Grace on her family's ranch near Fountain Springs. Despite both of them commuting to Porterville for school, sports, and grocery shopping, the two did not meet until they both ended up in San Luis Obispo attending Cal Poly.

After 20 years of running in similar circles, it was Irrigation Water Management class that finally brought them together. Mark and Grace quickly bonded over their mutual appreciation for good country music, the outdoors, and the old way of doing things.