Renowned comedian Wanda Sykes first noticed Alex Sykes (née Niedbalski) while on her way to Fire Island resort in New York City, after first spotting Alex on the ferry ride and instantly taking interest. "Something really said to me [...] 'Wow, that's what you need, Wanda,'" Sykes told The Guardian.

Wanda complained about her love life to a friend, who told her to stop boring people by talking about things like remodeling her kitchen. Wanda, ever the rebel, doubled-down and talked about her kitchen to the next person she encountered, who then introduced Wanda to a certain someone who sold granite countertops.

That someone was the same woman Wanda had seen on the ferry. Wanda and Alex dated for nearly two years before tying the knot in 2008, and they welcomed twins Olivia and Lucas in 2009. As comedians do, Wanda has used her family for comedy inspiration, noting that Alex is funny — "sometimes not intentionally."