In the vibrant heart of Austin, Texas, fate stepped in when Dru and Stephanie crossed paths in October 2019, igniting a spark of excitement that neither of them could ignore. After a few hiccups with scheduling and some potential date ideas that fell flat, it seemed like their chance might slip away—until Dru suggested an unforgettable outing: “How about the Austin Botanical Garden?” Stephanie couldn’t type fast enough: “What time? I’m there!” As they wandered through the lush greenery, the chemistry was palpable. When they ventured into the Local Native Plant section, Dru impressively identified at least half a dozen plants by name, instantly capturing Stephanie’s intrigue. It was then she knew—Dru was something special. After a couple of hours of laughter and exploration, as they approached their cars, Stephanie suddenly exclaimed, “Wait!” She handed Dru a rock from her car—a quirky token of their budding connection. Plants, rocks, and adventure—they knew they had found something extraordinary in each other. Not long after, Dru texted to say he had a blast and that he wanted to expand his plant collection, and when Stephanie invited him over to pick out one of her many plants, they sat outside under the stars talking, while her friends and roommates Jenna, Q, & Sarah peeked out, astonished that their date had lasted so long and blossomed from afternoon into the night. Dru ended up taking home a cactus—a perfect reminder of their growing bond. That is still alive and thriving! Fast forward to their third date: Dru sat across from Stephanie, his expression serious as he said, “You mean a lot to me, but I need to tell you something—I’m leaving for six months to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. I don't expect you to wait for me... but will you?” Without hesitation, Stephanie replied, “Yes!” and even joined him for a few days on the trail in Oregon—a thrilling chapter in their love story. Before his big adventure, they embarked on a road trip through New Mexico, chasing breathtaking sunsets and Toy Story clouds. The odometer at the end of their journey read 123456, a small yet magical sign that hinted at the future. These moments were seeds being planted for a grand proposal at White Sands, New Mexico, years down the line. Their second road trip before Dru's hike led them to the breathtaking Big Bend National Park. This has for a long time been Dru’s happy place being drawn to the landscape. It was there camping together that they both felt that incredible connection people often describe— it was as if they both just “knew” they were in the right place. Now, Dru and Stephanie continue to chase sunsets together, have combined their rock collections, and are bound by a love that feels destined. They wholeheartedly believe they’ve found their soul mate, ready to embark on a lifelong adventure side by side with their friends and family. The best is yet to come!