Mason and Kaela met at a group dinner after church in the summer of 2021. They connected for the first time at a fall retreat with their church group in Hot Springs, NC. Their competitive nature bonded them and they were both excited to see each other again. Mason saw Kaela (his future lover) a few weeks later where they shared conversation over a warm fire with some friends.

They got to know each other in between church services, group lunches, and game nights and started to kindle a friendship before they went on their first date in February 2022. The early dating season was filled with participating in many shared interests including climbing, running, shared meals, evening walks, and reading together. Through that summer and fall, Mason and Kaela grew their relationship in new ways as they navigating dating long distance while Kaela was away for her graduate program fieldwork rotations. They were eager to be living in the same city once again and enjoyed when Kaela was back in Charlotte.