In the summer of 2018, Meredith accepted an internship doing research on tobacco plants with Altria in Richmond, Virginia. That summer, Meredith and Robert met and instantly hit it off!

Altria extended Meredith’s internship through to December and she and Rob extended their relationship too. Working a short drive from Rob’s school, The University of Virginia, Meredith and he were able to continue dating. However, when it came time for Meredith to return to Cornell University in New York, they decided to maintain a friendship due to the distance. They kept in touch over the years and miles apart; often reconnecting in person when they travelled near each other.

In the Spring of 2024, Robert suggested they change their long-distance friendship to a long-distance relationship, Meredith agreed. In February 2025, Robert proposed to Meredith at the Rotunda on the Grounds of the University of Virginia. It was only fitting for the next stage of their life together to start in the land where it all began.