Kayla and Garnett first began messaging one another on October 17, 2020. They reached out to one another thanks to Garnett's aunt, Cherene Melendez, and their mutual friend, Katrina Gray. Both Kayla and Garnett were in their senior year of college and both had a desire to do something more with their lives. In November of 2020, they met each other in person for the first time. Kayla went to Virginia with Katrina at Thanksgiving to hang out with the Melendez family and to meet Garnett. There was an instant connection as they found they had much in common. Their first date was in Georgetown when Kayla went to DC with the Melendez/Bandy cousins. They shared their first lunch together and walked around the park looking at ice sculptures. For over two years they had a long distance with Kayla visiting Garnett in Virginia and Georgia, and Garnett coming to Tennessee to visit her. They always made the most of their weekends together. They always loved seeing each other and each dreaded watching the other leave to go back home. Garnett's family has gotten to know Kayla well and adore her. Kayla's family has gotten to know Garnett and love him as well. Kayla recently moved to Georgia after accepting a new position there as a Behavioral Therapist in June 2023. She is now not only closer to Garnett, but also closer to many of his extended family. During her very first weekend in Georgia, Garnett proposed to Kayla while her family was still in town. Garnett's family threw a very special engagement party that very night. Now residing closer together, Kayla and Garnett enjoy seeing each other more often, exploring new places, and finding adventurous things to do together.