In fall 2022, we met working at the Fairmont Austin. Stefan had moved to Texas after growing up in Raleigh, North Carolina, spending a few seasons at a Montana ski resort, and—true story—throwing a dart at a map that landed him in Austin. Paloma, originally from the El Paso/Juárez border and calling Austin home for over 12 years, was balancing grad school and teaching when she joined the Fairmont team. From co-workers to friends, it didn’t take long for things to click. By spring 2023, friendship had turned into dating—and we’ve been inseparable ever since.

In spring 2024, we took our first trip abroad together to Japan, discovering new places, sightseeing, and trying all the delicious food. Along the way, we indulged in our favorites since we were kids—anime, Nintendo, Pokémon, Star Wars—you name it. Somewhere between sightseeing and nerding out, Stefan had one more surprise. At Zojo-ji Temple in Tokyo, surrounded by cherry blossoms, he got down on one knee—and Paloma said yes!