When they first met in person, they quickly discovered that something special was there. Their first date was on January 5th, 2022. Austin and Brittaney bonded over their love for cozy coffee dates, exploring farmers markets, spending time outside, doing art projects and taking care of their dogs. One of their early first dates even took place at an indoor dog park and their fur babies were bonded forever. Just two months into dating, Austin met the in-laws at Brittaney’s dad’s 50th birthday party. The theme was a casino night, and while mingling with most of her dad’s side of the family, Austin and Brittaney realized they also enjoy playing games together. Brittaney’s Dad and Bonus Mom loved Austin immediately. Towards the beginning of their relationship Brittaney was in ultrasound school living in Big Rapids while Austin was living in Grand Rapids. Austin was very attentive and supportive during her schooling. They both respect one another’s personal goals and relationship needs, and have built a strong foundation rooted in communication, care and support. Both Austin and Brittaney are sweet, kind, and understanding individuals who are genuinely thoughtful and caring toward others. Austin radiates kindness every day, while Brittaney’s warm presence truly shines. At the end of 2022, Austin and Brittaney had become inseparable and decided they would love to live together. During this time, Brittaney was commuting to Ludington for her ultrasound school internship, balancing her busy schedule while deepening her relationship with Austin. Around the same time, Austin also decided to switch job roles and work at USPS, while also serving as a home healthcare aid. Austin’s kind and caring nature is apparent not only in his work but in his relationship with Brittaney. They absolutely loved this time together at their apartment and watching the ducks swim in the little lake outside, and walking the dogs to the dog park next to their apartment. In the beginning of August of 2023, Brittaney and Austin had one of their favorite trips together, where they explored the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They went camping at Grand Marais as well as Indian Lake State Park. They also went to visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and they went hiking in Munising. Most of 2024 was spent with friends and family. Bryanne and Colton bought their first home only three blocks away from Brittaney and Austin’s apartment, so they visited often. Bryanne & Colton also were married this same year and Colton became Brittaney’s first brother! Austin and Brittaney picked up a new hobby of fish-keeping, adding dozens of fish to their happy family. They spent most of this summer disc golfing at Lamar Park and getting ice cream at Tippy Cow. On June 9th, 2025 Austin asked Brittaney to marry him at the breathtaking Matthaei Botanical Peony Gardens in Ann Arbor. It was a perfect moment witnessed by Brittaney’s maternal grandparents, which added love and family to their special day. During this summer, they spent a lot of time with Austin’s parents and siblings at Big Crooked Lake, tubing and enjoying the sunshine together. In September 2025, exactly a year before their wedding day, Brittaney and Austin made another exciting step in their journey together by buying a house in the same town that they both grew up in, Holland, Michigan. Austin and Brittaney love the lake life and are excited to enjoy the peace and quiet moments their new home will provide. On June 7, 2026 just one year after getting engaged, Brittaney celebrated her bridal shower at Big Crooked Lake. Surrounded by family and friends, it was a beautiful day filled with love and excitement as well as Peonies, a detail of their engagement. Austin and Brittaney are so deeply in love and they can’t wait to celebrate their wedding day weekend with family and friends this fall, on September 11th - 13th, 2026.