Melinda didn't know anyone when she moved to New Orleans in January 2014 for her music therapy internship. Thankfully her SMU friend, Brett Davis, got her in touch with some of his buddies who had moved back to town after college and told them to be nice to her. Nelson and Melinda first met at a watch party for the Saints playoff game against the Seahawks (where they lost terribly) at NOLA Brewing where Nelson worked. The gang continued to be nice to Melinda and include her in things, and introduced her to Mardi Gras, F&M's, and life in the Crescent City.

After a few weeks and some flirting, what was supposed to be a more relaxed night hanging out with Nelson and Zac at their apartment turned into a night that ended up at Harrah's with a few other friends. It was at those very romantic slot machines that Nelson and Melinda had their first kiss. A couple more weeks and a butt-dial later, Nelson asked Melinda on their first date and the rest, as they say, is history.

At the end of her internship, Melinda got her first job offer in Miami, FL and she and Nelson made the decision to try long distance. Finally, after a move to Texas and 6 years apart, Melinda made the leap and moved to New Orleans in February 2020. Apparently the COVID quarantine didn't change Nelson's mind too much about the relationship because he proposed in City Park on April 24th, 2020 at a fountain not far from the wedding venue.