We met on the elevator at Middle Tennessee State University in the School of Music. Melody knew who Jared was because he was cute, Jared knew who Melody was because she was his drum major in the Band of Blue. Melody got on the elevator, and Jared got in behind her. Jared made a comment about late night practicing (because both of them had instruments in hand) and Melody stared at him unable to speak. She was too shy because she thought he was too cute. This moment made an impact on Jared because it was so awkward. Melody quickly scrubbed this memory from her brain because it was so awkward. Jared reminded Melody of this moment about 3 months into officially dating. Melody was mortified. The rest is history <3

Melody and Jared had spent the summer of '22 becoming best friends. Jared went home to Memphis after they both were counselors at The Governors School for the Arts, and quickly Melody and Jared both realized that they wanted to be together. Jared spent the month of July in Memphis while Melody was in Murfreesboro, but they were always talking and texting, both hoping that the other felt the same way. When August rolled around, both of them were anxious to see each other, chat, and finally talk about their feelings. On August 10th, Jared got in his car to drive to Murfreesboro, and Melody got on a plane and flew to Chicago for the NFA Flute convention. This was the longest three days of both of their lives. When August 13th came around, Melody got on the plane and flew home from Chicago. She landed at 11pm on the 13th, and drove straight to Jared's house. They talked and laughed for hours, and somewhere in between 11pm and 3am, they officially started their relationship. Jared and Melody still don't know if their dating anniversary is the 13th or the 14th- so they celebrate both!