On November 25th, 2017, Mikayla's Aunt Patti showed Connor a photo of Mikayla to gauge his potential interest in Mikayla. Connor was instantly interested in Mikayla from that moment on. Aunt Patti told Connor he should text Mikayla the next day. The next day, Aunt Patti sent Mikayla's number to Connor's mom to have Connor reach out and make the first move. Connor was very hesitant to "cold text" Mikayla for the first time. Similarly, Mikayla was not interested in starting a relationship with someone as she was focusing on her studies to achieve her goal of becoming an Occupational Therapist. On November 26th, 2017, Connor mustered up the courage to send a text, starting their first chapter on their book of life together. Connor knew with a girl as beautiful as Mikayla, he had to make a big first impression. What better way than asking Mikayla to attend a Devils game with him just 2 weeks later. Mikayla agreed but not before a first date together, the week before at Redstone American Grill. Both ordered a flatbread pizza and barely ate as they spent the entire date getting to know each other. The following week it was time for the second date to watch the New Jersey Devils take on the Dallas Stars. The night of the game, a strong snow storm hit the state resulting in treacherous conditions, extending their commute to the game by an extra hour. This was a true test of their compatibility right out of the gate. After arriving at the game, Mikayla saw an advertisement on the Jumbotron to post your pictures using a hashtag. Mikayla used this as an opportunity to "try and get on the Jumbotron", but really she just wanted to get their first picture together as a couple. The Devils went on to win the game by a large margin. Connor felt he may have found his good luck charm. Several dates later, Connor was invited to Christmas Eve at Mikayla's where the couple made their relationship official on Christmas Eve of 2017.

Connor knew Mikayla would be hyperaware of any anomalies in his behavior that might point towards a proposal. Connor knew he would have to throw her off her game. Connor figured the best time to do it would be July 1st, the day before his birthday to really throw her off of any suspicions. Connor found a photographer and shared his plan to capture their special moment. Weeks in advance, Connor would bring Mikayla to the 30th street beach on Long Beach Island to hunt for sea glass, a hobby they enjoy together. Connor told Mikayla that his family would be taking them out to dinner on the 1st of July to "celebrate his birthday" at a restaurant on Long Beach Island. On the way to the "birthday dinner", Connor told Mikayla that he ordered a shirt from a store on the Island and they would have to pick it up on their way to the restaurant. Connor went in alone, grabbed a random shirt to purchase, and came back to the car to tell Mikayla that the clerk shared how whales have been hanging around the 30th street beach all day. Mikayla, not interested in the whales said "okay and?". Connor continued to push saying "How many times do you get to see whales, it's on the way lets just look for 2 seconds." Mikayla agreed and the couple walked up to the beach. Mikayla was hesitant about walking any further as the "wind was ruining her hair before dinner". Connor got her closer to the water to get a better look where he said "It's happening" and got down on one knee.