Our story started in high school, though neither of us knew back then just how far a few glances and Instagram likes would go. We both secretly had a crush on each other—Makila was focused on school, Matt was all about soccer, and we each thought the other was way too intimidating to talk to. So, we stuck to hallway smiles and liking each other’s pictures from afar. Fast forward a few years to 2020, when the world slowed down and everything changed. One day, Makila posted a picture, and Matt, on a whim, liked it. But this time, he didn’t just scroll past. He sent a message: “Hey, did you go to Fremd?” A simple line, and to his surprise, Makila answered. That message turned into a conversation… and that conversation never really ended. With limited options for dates during COVID, we met at Busse Woods for a walk. It wasn’t flashy or fancy, but from that day on, we both just knew. We were meant to be. Since then, we’ve built a life full of love, laughter, and adventure. We've traveled to Florida, the Dominican Republic, Hawaii, and our favorite place of all—Tennessee. Along the way, we adopted our sweet pup Badger, who’s been our sidekick on hikes, brewery stops, and road trips to places like Missouri. We’ve grown together through highs and lows, through quiet moments and big milestones. And now, after five years of love, we're so excited to officially begin our next chapter as Mr. and Mrs. Austin.