Austin and Alex met in their Social Studies class in seventh grade. Their teacher had the class play a game about countries and their borders and Austin and Alex were paired together. From there, they ended up “dating.” They went on their first date to the Ayrsley movie theater in Charlotte, NC to see a movie, along with Austin’s mom Paula. They were boyfriend and girlfriend for roughly seven months and then they went their separate ways. As they went into high school, they rekindled that seventh grade romance and started dating again. From 2012 to 2015 they were inseparable. As college approached, they, once again, went their separate ways. It wasn’t until Alex was home from school in 2019, taking a leave of absence, that Austin appeared back in her life. Since 2010 they always, somehow, ended right back where they started: together.

Austin’s family invited Alex on a trip to the mountains. Austin told Alex that they were going to take pictures that day. She says, “Looking back, I should’ve known better.” The Keurig wasn’t working that morning and Alex does not function well without coffee so David, Austin’s dad, said we could stop for some on our way to the waterfalls that we were going to see. Austin REFUSED to let Alex have coffee and he wouldn’t talk to Alex in the car. “I thought he was upset about something!” They got to the spot for the waterfall and they had to walk down this intricate path. Alex took some photos of Christina, Matt, and Avery and then Austin asked Alex if she wanted to go out to a big rock to take their photos. They took some photos for sure, but then Austin looks to Alex, very shakily, and says, “I have to ask you something. Alex. You know I love you and I can’t imagine my life without you.” He gets down on one knee, “Will you marry me?” Alex said yes and got her promise rings off as quick as possible to put her new engagement ring on!