The way Lois tells it: I was visiting friends from college after just graduating a few months earlier. We decided it would be fun to go bar hopping, starting off at a personal favorite: Gardella's Tavern. Seated around a large table, I proceeded to ask if anyone wanted to see a photo of Gangrene I had taken from work (I was working as a Podiatry assistant at the time). Austin was the only one brave enough to take a peak and the rest is history. The way Austin tells it: Alright, Lois is going to say that we met for the first time at Gardella's. That is not the case, we had previously met on two occasions. The first time was at a party at a mutual friends house. I'd had a few too many drinks and, despite my best efforts, did not leave a lasting impression. The second time was at a barbecue, where I was so mortified of our first interaction that I avoided talking to her entirely. The fateful third time was at Gardella's Tavern in downtown Grand Rapids, where Lois shared a picture of a necrotic toe she took at work. I knew in that moment I would spend the rest of my life with this woman.

On our last night in Grand Rapids, Austin suggested a date night to our favorite brewery. After being seated and served our beers, Lois couldn't take the pressure anymore and blurted out "I thought you were going to propose to me." To which Austin replied "oh, no, that wont happen for a long time." Upset by this, Lois continued to order two more beers while Austin ordered an uber to take them back home so they could go out with friends. When they arrived home, Lois walked in to find the house completely dark with gold balloons peaking out from the living room. She walked in to find their close friends seated and a table setup with champagne, candles, and treats. She then turned around to find Austin on one knee with a ring in his hand and the only thing she could think to say was "are you ****ing kidding me?!" Boy had he fooled her!