We're Getting Married!

Austin and Cecyllia first met back in middle school, when they were both 12 years old and navigating lockers, class schedules, and the awkwardness of growing up. From the very beginning, Cecyllia knew there was something special about Austin—and she’ll happily admit she had a crush on him from day one. Their early connection was filled with typical middle-school moments, including one particularly memorable recess. Austin was having a bad day and wanted nothing more than a little peace and quiet. Cecyllia, however, had other plans and did what she did best—annoying him nonstop. Whether she was talking too much, following him around, or just being her cheerful self, she made sure he couldn’t escape. Looking back, it’s clear that even on his grumpiest day, she had already found her way into his life. As the years passed, that middle-school crush grew into a deep friendship and eventually into love. What began on a school playground turned into a story full of laughter, patience, and a lot of heart. From recess to forever, Austin and Cecyllia are so excited to keep writing their story together. 💛

On December 4th, 2021, when Austin and Cecyllia were both 14, their story officially changed from friendship to something more—becoming boyfriend and girlfriend through secret text messages carefully hidden from parents, just like any classic teen love story. What started with excitement and nervous smiles quickly turned serious when Austin moved to Florida shortly after. Suddenly, two scared teenagers were faced with distance, time zones, and missing each other every day. Even so, they chose to hold on. Through late-night calls, constant messages, and a whole lot of patience, they made long distance work—proving that their love was stronger than the miles between them. Nearly a year later, Austin came back, and what they had protected from afar only grew stronger. What began as secret texts turned into a love built on commitment, trust, and growing up together—leading them all the way here. 💛

Austin and Cecyllia’s first official date was a summer adventure they’ll never forget—July 2nd, 2022, at Magic Springs. At 14, they were *definitely* too young to drive, so Grammy and Grandpa were kind enough to chauffeur them, making sure their big day went smoothly while also giving them a little “parental supervision with style.” Even though they had been together for a while, this was one of the first times they had seen each other in person since Austin had been in Florida, and the nerves were real. Hearts racing, smiles everywhere, and a few awkward giggles later, they jumped right into the fun. The day was a mix of thrills and sweet moments. They spent a long while holding each other in the wave pool, floating, laughing, and enjoying just being close again. Then they drifted down the lazy river together, joking about their “floating skills” (or lack thereof) and playfully bumping into each other. Of course, they had to ride a few rides too—screaming, laughing, and clinging to each other through every twist, turn, and drop. And let’s not forget the food! Funnel cake, cheesy nachos, and sticky fingers were shared generously, thanks to Grammy, making every bite as sweet as the day itself. Between sugar highs and splash-filled fun, it was impossible not to smile. Even with the nervous first-date jitters, long-distance months behind them, and a little chaos thrown in by a busy water park, Austin and Cecyllia felt completely at home with each other. It was a perfect mix of laughter, love, and teen awkwardness—a day that reminded them why they had stuck together through distance, time, and growing pains. From wave pools to roller coasters, lazy rivers to funnel cake, that first date was a magical, messy, silly, and unforgettable reminder that their story was just getting started—and that they were ready to hold on tight, side by side, for every adventure ahead.

Austin and Cecyllia’s engagement story is full of love, laughter, and a little bit of sneaky scheming—mostly by Austin and his family. The proposal happened at Hickory Nut Mountain, a spot packed with memories for both of them. For Cecyllia, it was a mountain she had hiked every year in high school with JROTC, full of nostalgia, trails, and memories of youthful adventures. For Austin, it was equally special—he used to ride dirt bikes along the trails, making it a place full of fun, freedom, and a little adrenaline. Basically, it was the perfect mix of their two worlds. The setup started innocently enough…or so Cecyllia thought. Austin’s mom had “taken them to look at rings,” which Cecyllia noticed was a little suspicious. She raised an eyebrow, picked up on the sketchy behavior, and tried to act casual—but inside, she had a feeling something was up. The day of the engagement was genius in its deception. Austin’s family “covered” the proposal under the guise of family pictures. Cecyllia assumed this meant it was happening then and there—hearts racing, butterflies everywhere—only for Austin and his family to throw her off by saying, “It’s over.” Totally thrown, Cecyllia thought the moment had passed. Little did she know, the best was yet to come. Then Austin did it. On the mountain trails where they both had so many memories, he got down on one knee and asked Cecyllia to marry him. She was completely caught off guard—but of course, she said yes! Ecstatic, the first thing she did was call her parents to share the news. And from that very moment, wedding planning officially began—because once Cecyllia said yes, there was no stopping her! The day wasn’t just about a ring—it was about thoughtful planning, nostalgia, and a little playful trickery that made the moment unforgettable. From hiding the proposal behind “family pictures” to catching Cecyllia completely by surprise, the engagement captured the perfect mix of love, humor, and adventure that defines their relationship. Hickory Nut Mountain wasn’t just a backdrop—it was the place where their story leveled up, laughter and all. 💛

Austin and Cecyllia’s journey together has been anything but ordinary—and honestly, they wouldn’t have it any other way. After Austin decided high school just wasn’t for him in December of his junior year, he jumped straight into college the following fall, diving headfirst into auto mechanics. Meanwhile, Cecyllia was wrapping up high school and, not to be outdone, immediately went on to complete the classes to become a CNA. Around the same time, Austin started working as a Lube Technician, and Cecyllia started her first job as a CNA. Suddenly, these two teens-turned-adults were juggling careers, responsibilities, and, of course, each other. Just a month into their jobs, they decided to take the ultimate leap—moving in together in July. Cue the reality check: figuring out who does the dishes, how to survive each other’s weird habits, and learning that living together is *way harder than it looks*. But somehow, through messy apartments, long workdays, and the occasional minor argument over literally everything, they’ve learned to really know each other—the quirks, the pet peeves, the little ways they make each other laugh even on tough days. Life together hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been full of growth, patience, and love that only gets stronger with each challenge. Austin and Cecyllia have learned how to navigate this crazy, wonderful adventure called life, supporting each other, laughing through the hard parts, and celebrating the victories big and small. Today, they’re not just a couple—they’re teammates, best friends, and partners in every sense of the word. And as they take the next step together, they’re excited to keep building a life filled with love, laughter, and a little bit of chaos (because let’s be real, they thrive on it). 💛

Austin and Cecyllia are excited for everything the future has in store. Austin dreams of one day continuing his education in auto mechanics, turning his love for cars and engines into even bigger adventures. Cecyllia is getting ready to start college soon to become a nurse, ready to bring her care, dedication, and heart to a career she loves. Together, they’re looking forward to supporting each other’s goals, celebrating milestones, and navigating life with love, laughter, and a little bit of chaos. From college classes to future plans, they know the best part is doing it all side by side. Their wedding is just the beginning of a lifetime full of shared dreams, growth, and happiness. 💛