As a teenager, Austin fondly remembers traveling from Denver to Dallas to spend time with his family. During one of those trips in 2003, he met Sam Tacito—and the two became instant friends. To this day, they still try to convince everyone (and themselves) that they’re cousins. Honestly, we’re not entirely sure they aren’t. Several years later, in 2011, Ashley met Valerie Ellis running through the halls of their freshman dorm at Ole Miss, and they were instantly inseparable. That friendship became one of those ride-or-die things that would eventually shape, well… everything. And wouldn’t you know it—Sam ended up at Ole Miss, too. The girl gang and guy gang quickly merged into one big, rowdy, unforgettable friend group. The kind that becomes your chosen family. After graduation, the Ole Miss crew migrated back to Dallas, and Ashley began her doctorate at UNT. As fate would have it, Austin moved to Dallas too. Val immediately wanted to introduce them, declaring, “Ashley, you’re going to LOVE him.” (Spoiler alert: she was right.) Then came a fateful Friday night on the dance floor at Beauty Bar in late 2017. Sparks flew and the next day, Ashley and Austin went on their first date. Austin showed up driving someone else’s car and forgot his wallet, and Ashley questioned her life choices—especially after scrounging for loose bills because she'd left her credit card at Beauty Bar the night before. Dinner consisted of splitting one grilled cheese and a complimentary peanut butter beer, courtesy of a bartender trying to tap the keg. It was objectively a disaster—but somehow, they couldn’t stop laughing. And somewhere between the chaos, charm, and chemistry, something clicked. It wasn’t the perfect date, but it was the perfect beginning. Over the next few months, Austin racked up mileage on I-35 visiting Ashley in Denton. When things fizzled out, he was devastated. He immediately recruited Valerie for emotional support brunches and game-planning sessions. (Bless her.) A year later, he made a bold move and slid into Ashley’s DMs. Another date. Another grilled cheese. No dinner for him this time because he had a “hockey game later,” and Ashley picked up the tab again. She figured, hey—at least he’s consistent. Turns out, consistency is a love language. Since March 2019, they’ve been all in—on a mission to squeeze every drop of joy out of life together. They’ve fallen in love in Grand Lake, traveled the world, survived a global pandemic, completed a doctorate, and navigated thriving careers. They’ve cheered through more hockey games than Ashley ever imagined, pulled trout from countless rivers, and adopted their beloved pets, Martini Tiny and Kiki. They bought their first home, hosted backyard dinner parties, celebrated their engagement during 2023 New Year’s festivities, and shared countless milestones with the family and friends who mean the world to them. Now, they’re ready for the next chapter: marriage. They’re beyond excited to celebrate this moment with the people who’ve been part of their wild and wonderful journey—and to spend the rest of their lives soaking up every bit of joy, laughter, and love life has to offer.