Meet us in Poughkeepsie

It all started on a picture-perfect September day in 2018 at St. John's University. The campus buzzed with the energy of a new semester, and tucked away in a public speaking class sat a group of bright-eyed freshmen—well, all but one. Among them was Austin Briggs, a junior college transfer from California and the newest hotshot on the university’s golf team. Everything was going smoothly until the professor introduced the first assignment: a paired introduction. Each student would interview a classmate and present them to the room. One by one, names were called, pairing up students, until only two remained, Jenee and Austin. Allegedly (though this claim is still under debate), when Jenee realized she had to introduce Austin, she turned to him with a look of pure exasperation. But, being the diligent student she was, she set aside her alleged "disappointment" and got to work. What started as a simple interview quickly turned into a full-class conversation, the two of them so engrossed in laughter and shared stories that Jenee completely forgot someone was waiting to speak with her. As class ended, they were about to go their separate ways when Austin pulled his first smooth move, asking for her number under the very practical excuse that, as a golfer, he might miss class and would need her to send him the notes. From that day forward, they never stopped talking. Their friendship quickly grew into something deeper, and after six unforgettable dates, Austin popped the all-important first question: Will you be my girlfriend? Naturally, Jenee said yes. Together, they’ve navigated milestones big and small—surviving long distance, moving across the country twice, and welcoming their beloved pup, Archie Johnson Briggs, into their little family. Then, on December 23, 2023, while visiting New York for the holidays, Austin pulled off his biggest surprise yet. With both of their families in secret cahoots, he got down on one knee at the park where they shared their first kiss, overlooking the NYC skyline. It was a moment neither of them would ever forget, one filled with love, laughter, and the overwhelming feeling that this was exactly where they were meant to be. Now, after years of adventure, laughter, and a love story that started with a "reluctant" partnership, they are ready to begin the next chapter. So mark your calendars for June 6, 2026—a day when two families become one, and the journey that began in a college classroom turns into forever!