Contrary to popular opinion, the couple did NOT meet in college...though they both did attend Taylor University...at the same time... They met after college in the spring of 2019. It was love at first sight. Actually, not really. Through mutual college friends, Taylor and Beka met at different group gatherings -- watching Survivor, playing spikeball, or enjoying an evening around a bonfire -- and there began Taylor's growing interest in Beka. That summer, they both moved in with friends in the same apartment complex: the beloved Chateau in the Woods in Indianapolis (wouldn't recommend unless you're in to mold). But, to Taylor's dismay, Beka was moving to Austin in October of that year. Their last hoorah was a friend's camping trip to the Great Smokey Mountains. After a tearful goodbye, they parted ways.

Beka was surprised when the friendship with Taylor continued and grew deeper even after she moved to Austin. They bonded over NFL games and began talking over Marco Polo and phone calls. Beka became intrigued and attracted to how Taylor listened and asked meaningful questions about faith and relationships. Taylor appreciated all they shared in common. Feelings for one another were growing teehee. Beka traveled back to Indiana in March of 2021 to visit friends and she and Taylor spent an afternoon together. They played pickleball at Broad Ripple Park, went to grab lunch, and the long anticipated DTR (Define The Relationship) occurred. The two essentially decided that they had feelings for one another, but long distance dating did not seem likely. Beka flew back to Austin. A few weeks later, on April 12 2021, they decided to give long distance dating a chance. Weekly Facetime date nights, Marco Polo's, sending mirror selfies (ew), monthly trips to visit one another -- all these became regular events in the lives of Taylor and Beka as they dated long distance for the next year and three months. Then in July of 2022, Taylor moved to Austin!

As their two-year anniversary approached, Taylor surprised Beka with a date to her favorite restaurant, Suerte. The restaurant has become a budding tradition, as it was their first date in Austin and where they celebrated their one-year anniversary. After the delicious meal, Taylor introduced another surprise. He had Beka randomly pick an activity from a jar (all of which said the same activity of course hehe). She pulled out a note that read, "Hike to Twin Falls" (the location of their first hike together in Austin). "Oh, we're not going to do that," was Beka's immediate reply. "Come on, where's your sense of adventure?" encouraged Taylor. Befuddled though she was, Beka began to suspect that this was going to be a special night. As they hiked in their dinner attire, they approached a spot where the falls usually flow but was currently dried up. With the help of Taylor's partner in crime (aka Beka's sister, Rachael Marie), there were candles set up, a photo album of the couple, two sentimental stuffed animals, and a bottle of wine -- all on top of the blanket Taylor had given Beka when he first moved to Austin. Taylor handed Beka a letter, which ended with "Quieres casarte conmigo, amor?" Will you marry me, my love? She turned around and Taylor was on one knee. Y'all already know her answer. And that's their love story. Or at least the start. The best is yet to come :)