In 2017, Evan was considering moving to Nashville, TN, and decided to spend some time in town to test out the waters. On November 9th, he arrived in TN and that first night went to Mayday Brewery for some live music. Hillary was a regular there, and was in attendance to watch her mentor perform. From opposite sides of the room, both Hillary and Evan took videos of the dancing and, unknown to them, their future spouse! Shortly after, they were introduced by a mutual friend, Evan moved to Nashville, and they spent time getting to know each other as friends.

About year later, Evan was putting together the inaugural Bluegrass Wednesday jam event, and asked Hillary to be his first performer. Evan claims he asked her because of her incredible talent, but Hillary couldn't help but wonder if there were other reasons he had thought of her, too. Whatever the reason, these jam sessions brought them together and one date quickly led to many more. However, Evan's schedule was filled up with tours and gigs, and they weren't sure often they'd realistically get to see each other.

Then COVID hit.

As the world shut down, Evan and Hillary went from seeing each other occasionally, to being in lockdown together in Hillary's 350 sq foot home. Evan eventually moved in, and they spent their COVID year enjoying the beauty of the river from their porch, and often hanging out in the park next door. Evan also enjoyed sprucing up their home, because as Hillary willingly admits, she only had the "bare bones" in the home; the living room had a couch, TV, and a bench press, which Evan quickly relocated. Then the opportunity to buy a home unexpectedly came up, they jumped at the chance to start their life together. When first dating, Evan and Hillary always joked about how they both believed getting married was silly, but over time they realized they wanted to spend their lives together, and now it felt obvious and natural that they would get married.

Without much fanfare (or a ring), one morning while making coffee, Evan got down on one knee and asked Hillary to marry him. Hillary said yes immediately. Then, they went back to their regular morning routine of coffee on the porch overlooking the river, and Evan headed off to a gig that night. Their passion for music may have ignited their love for each other, but it was fate that brought them together that night at Mayday Brewery.