It all started when Austin commented on Shelby's story, saying "You are going to hate working during school." It was Shelby's first job, and naturally, she was excited to make her own money, so she did not believe him. They started talking back and forth, and eventually, Austin asked her on a date. Shelby was ecstatic for her first date ever, but her dad was absolutely not happy about his little girl growing up. To please her dad, they took some friends with them and had a group date going to Chili's, which remains to be their favorite restraunt to this day. They went to the movies afterwards and watched the cheesiest movie ever and then decided to go to QT to get some frozen yogurt. This started their unbreakable bond. Shelby would go to his basketball games to watch him play, and he would go watch her sit on the bench during hers. Austin graduated later that year and wanted to go to Texas Tech but eventually decided to stay close to home for his first year of college. Shelby was starting her senior year and was happy that her boyfriend and best friend were not going to be hours away. Through all of Shelby's college applications, last powerlifting meet, and last mile, Austin stood by her side, cheering her on. Eventually, she decided that she wanted to go to Texas Tech to pursue a pre-med track. Austin was excited for her and decided to transfer to Texas Tech with her. They moved to Lubbock in the dorms, where they stayed for the school year. They decided they were going to live in apartments the next year and went to the shelter to get a dog, where they met their feral Bruno. They moved into the apartments, and Shelby decided to switch to a pre-nursing track. She studied hard and worked in the hospital at the same time to get experience. They decided to get another dog named Newton, and a family of 3 became a family of 4. Austin supported her through her endeavors, and she got accepted to Texas Tech's nursing school for that summer. They moved into their first house together, where they eventually decided to get the newest addition to their family, named Beau. Then on September 1, 2024, Shelby and Austin went on a hike with their friends. Little did Shelby know that all her hopes were coming to pass. Austin coordinated with her parents, and they followed them on the hike, where Shelby's mom broke her finger. Austin got down on one knee and popped the question. Shelby could barely contain her excitement. Shelby eventually graduated from nursing school, where Austin helped her study for her licensing exam, which she passed, and started working as a nurse. Austin has been her rock through school and has supported her dreams from the very beginning. She couldn't have picked a better person to go on that first date with. As we go into marriage, we look back on the memories of where we came from, and are ecstatic for the opportunity to make many more memories together. Our love has been a journey that we are beyond grateful for, and we are blessed to have our favorite people there to celebrate with us. See everyone on October 11th!