The Austin's first met in July 2019 at a scientific workshop in Boulder, beneath the flatirons at NCAR's scenic Mesa Lab. On day one, Coleman sat next to Harris and startled him with a "Hello! I'm Austin!" Unable to match her enthusiasm, he said "Hey, I'm also Austin" and they quickly became friends. Afterwards, they went home to their respective cities and romantic relationships. Then in 2020, Coleman decided to move to Boulder and finish her PhD there. In 2021, Harris did the same. During Harris's first week out west, he joined Russell, Iva, and Coleman on a trip to the Tetons. Harris remembers thinking "this person is really cool" and having that interest swiftly removed when hearing Coleman order a burger at a restaurant in Jackson Hole. She claims that Harris is missing out, having never tried a plain cheeseburger without toppings. He thinks she might as well order off the kids menu to save a few bucks. Despite this rift that's definitely not still ongoing years later, their friendship grew on that trip, even as they continued dating other people. Several months later, suddenly, they weren't dating other people. One snowy February morning in 2022, during a carpe diem moment, Coleman drove to Harris's apartment to finally find out whether the flirting was real or harmless. Harris said it was real, then proceeded to very smoothly ask her thoughts on marriage and children, starting a trend of moving things quickly. Two months later, Harris drunkenly slipped an "I love you" to Coleman at the notoriously romantic Sundowner Saloon (a basement college dive bar with endearingly sticky floors). From there, things moved even faster. At least, it feels that way anyways. Harris defended his PhD in May 2022, becoming Dr. Austin #1. That summer, they met each other's families. They took trips to Milwaukee, Myrtle Beach, Oklahoma, and Glacier National Park. In February 2023, Harris moved in with Coleman as she was finishing her PhD that April, becoming Dr. Austin #2. Then in September 2023, they got engaged at NCAR's Mesa Lab, where they had first met 1523 days prior. And that October, they got their puppy / Chupacabra mix, Boo. The truth is, we both knew what we were looking for in a partner. And having been friends for quite some time, we knew we were looking for each other. Life hasn't slowed down much since, but we hope to slow it down a little bit with a long wedding weekend where we get to soak up as much time with friends and family as possible - we hope you'll join us! :)