In the summer of 2017, Machensey and Colin laid eyes on each other for the first time the day Machensey moved into her new apartment in Mankato, where Colin lived in the apartment below. Machensey had just returned from traveling in Europe and agreed to bring her new roommates downtown for the night. She stopped at Colin's apartment for directions and bar recommendations since she was new to town and her phone battery was low. Colin answered the door and was somewhat speechless by this beautiful stranger, stammering while he attempted to answer her questions.

This sparked a friendship between Colin and Machensey that resulted in a series of nights spent pre-gaming and going out. As they got to know each other, their relationship eventually elevated beyond friendship.

They started spending more time together - having joined a crossfit gym and became members of the Chankaska Winery. Machensey got to know Colin's family from weekend evenings spent at the winery that followed with unexpected visits to Colin's parents who lived nearby.

Throughout that first year, Colin met Machensey's family. Most notably was Thanksgiving 2018 when Colin was explaining to this group of conservative Iowa farmers that based on probability it is very likely that Aliens do exist. Despite what they might have thought of his wild beliefs, they accepted him into their family.

Throughout the next five years, Machensey and Colin embarked on several new adventures and changes. In 2019, moving to Ohio for Machensey's doctoral program, buying their home and adopting their furry son, Theo. While Machensey continued school, Colin began working as an engineer for Honda. They travel frequently throughout the Appalachian Mountains to hike and camp, and joined a Land Rover off-roading group.

Colin proposed to Machensey on July 6, 2023 while on a hike in the mountains in Colorado. Since, Machensey and Colin have been planning their wedding, Machensey has graduated with her doctorate in Clinical Psychology and will be starting a job at the Dayton VA and Colin has been settling in at his new position at Honda.