January 27, 2018 started as no extraordinary day for Austin and Rebecca. At the time, Austin was a Chicago-bachelor settling into his newfound sense of maturity and looking forward to attending one of his favorite formal events of the year with some good buddies. Meanwhile, an unsurprisingly more mature Rebecca was debating whether to enjoy a low-key dinner and good night sleep or go out with friends to the same event. The event that night was called “Snowball,” and while Rebecca refuses to ever go back again, Austin is so thankful she went that night because it resulted in an encounter that would change their lives forever.

In the midst of exchanging laughs, taking laps, and consuming healthy sips of tequila-soda, Austin ran into an acquaintance from college. They chatted about the standard things people that bump into each other at parties do, but he couldn’t help but be distracted after noticing she was accompanied by a beautiful young lady. No surprise, it was Rebecca. Up to that point in the night, Rebecca had voiced a lack of enthusiasm over the crowd. That all changed when she saw Austin. After a brief exchange, Rebecca quickly pivoted to another conversation. Austin and his acquaintance continued theirs: she asked him, “are you single?” Confused by the directness and timing of the comment, Austin responded cautiously, “yes.” Rebecca had already signaled her interest in Austin with a not-so-subtle kick to her friend's calf which somehow went without Austin's detection. This prompted her friend to continue pressing on details of his dating life. It turns out Rebecca and Austin shared the same feelings of excitement and intrigue about each other. They eventually parted ways, and while Rebecca and Austin wouldn’t get to know each other that night, Austin knew that he needed to see her again. Exercising some of his millennial pursuit strategies, Austin was able to secure Rebecca’s phone number and contacted her the next day.

Austin and Rebecca went on their first date on 2/2; they became boyfriend and girlfriend on 3/3; they took their first trip to Napa on 5/5, and they got engaged in Costa Rica on 11/22 that following year. Exactly 18 months later, on 5/22, they will be tying the knot. Needless to say, Austin and Rebecca have an affinity for easy-to-remember dates :)