It all began in high school in 2017—early mornings spent together with friends… when Austin managed to make it on time or wasn't rushing to finish homework. What started as an awkward three-hour “hangout” quickly turned into spending every possible moment side by side, from before the first bell rang to late nights when their parents finally insisted it was time to come home. After graduation, they went their separate ways for college—Austin to Salisbury University, and Meera eight hours south to the University of South Carolina. Though the distance felt daunting, they never let it stand in their way, visiting each other whenever they could. Then came an unexpected silver lining: COVID brought them together in Ocean City, where they got their first glimpse of what life under the same roof might be like. When the world reopened, so did the distance—but only for a little while. As Meera began pursuing her doctoral degree, they knew it was time to close the gap for good. After graduating in 2023, Austin made the move to South Carolina, starting their life together while Meera continued her studies. Soon after, their little family grew by two tiny paws—Delilah and Millie. Since then, the four of them have built a home in South Carolina, while often returning to Maryland to spend time with family. In October 2025, during what Meera thought was a girls’ trip to Charleston, Austin surprised her with a proposal—marking the beginning of their next chapter, together.