It all began with Austin’s charm in Spanish class. His opening line, “I hate split ends,” was unexpected and it was the start of something unforgettable. Jenna still smiles when she thinks of his first Facebook message: a video of Fire Marshall Bill. From that moment on, Austin had a way of making her laugh that brightened the darkest days. As the end of the school year approached, on May 21st, Austin gathered his courage and asked Jenna to be his girlfriend right there in the hallway after Spanish class. Their hearts soared, despite a looming challenge that might have sent most teenage couples into a tailspin: Jenna’s family was moving to Modesto at the end of June. Despite the distance, their bond only grew stronger. They spent nearly every day together in those final weeks, and they made a promise to each other: they would make long distance work. They were young and in love, certain that what they had was more than just a fleeting high school romance. With the support of their families, their love story continued to unfold. Jenna visited Arizona and Austin made the trip to Montana (yes, Montana, not Modesto) during the summer. They counted down the days until Jenna could move back to Arizona, a countdown that started with the day she turned 18 and eventually stretched to 777 days. (We fact checked this.. what are the odds?) Over the past 12 years, they have grown together through every high and low. Their journey has been a testament to their enduring love and the way they've shaped each other’s lives. Truly growing up together into the people they are today.

Their day began at 4:30 AM. Austin and Jenna had been in Paris for a day and a half, and their bodies still hadn’t quite adjusted to the time change. Despite the early hour, Jenna knew the 6 AM shoot would be worth it for the photos they had planned. As they started their morning, Taylor Swift’s songs played softly in the background while they got ready. They enjoyed a 15-minute walk to the Bir-Hakeim Bridge, where they were greeted by the stunning view of the Eiffel Tower. They took a moment to savor the scene before the special surprise Austin had planned. When the sun was just right, Austin and Jenna stood back to back for a few shots. As the sunrise bathed the city in a soft, golden glow, Jenna was unaware of what was about to unfold. She noticed Austin turning around. Her heart raced, and she thought, Oh. My. Goodness. This is actually happening. When she turned to face him, Austin was down on one knee, holding out a ring. With a loving smile, he quoted Taylor Swift’s song “Lover” (Jenna’s favorite, which was why they’d been listening to the album that morning). In that magical moment, he asked her to marry him. After 12 years together, Jenna’s heart filled with joy as she said yes, overwhelmed with emotion and disbelief.