In the fall of 2015 (one month before Kelli moved from Ohio to South Carolina), Kelli joined her sister Shannon, and Shannon's (now husband) Kyle on a mountain trip in Gatlinburg, Tennessee so that Kelli could meet some of Kyle's friends from South Carolina before the big move. Jay has been Kyle's life long best friend, so he was in attendance for this trip. Once Kelli met Jay on this trip, she called "dibs" on him to her new found girl friends in South Carolina.

Two months later, Kelli moved to South Carolina on December 26, 2015. Four days later on December 31, 2015 Kelli and Shannon went out to celebrate New Years Eve with Jay, Kyle, and their group of friends. Kelli and Jay spent hours talking with each other that night, which is what sparked their initial connection. Kelli and Jay continued to get to know each other, and they "officially" began dating on February 24, 2016.

After living together for 3 years, in March of 2019, Kelli and Jay purchased a new construction home together. On March 7, 2022 Jay proposed to Kelli in that very home! Kelli and Jay are so excited to celebrate their love in the presence of their parents, and their closest friends.