Nic and Makenzie met in the spring of '22, and from the start, there was an undeniable connection. Despite busy schedules, they prioritized spending time together. It was a refreshing change from the usual dating experience. Their first date was at Juliet’s, a cozy Italian spot in downtown Austin. Their relationship continued to grow throughout the next month until Nic dropped his phone in the Guadalupe River and lost Makenzie’s number. He tracked her down on LinkedIn to reconnect and his persistence paid off, leading to him meeting her family on their fourth date. The moment Nic joked with Makenzie’s dad, “Has anyone ever told you that you look like Dr. Phil?” she knew he was meant to be part of her life. Their relationship is the perfect tale of opposites attracting. Makenzie is a delicate planner, while Nic is spontaneous and fearless. He constantly pushes her out of her comfort zone - something she loves most about him. In return, they’ve both done things they never imagined, like Makenzie going hunting and Nic going to a Taylor Swift concert. While their differences keep things exciting, they share a passion for dreaming big and embracing life’s adventures together. And adventurous it’s been! Their first getaway was on the annual Hirsch family fishing trip in Port O’Connor—where they realized their relationship was forever. Through travels across Texas and beyond, they’ve explored Lake Tahoe, Charleston, Kansas City, Connecticut, New York, Louisiana, Washington, California, Roatán and Mexico (twice!), adding countless memories to their journey. Along the way, there have been plenty of unforgettable moments: catching a wild bunny named Daniel (who escaped inside Nic’s parents’ house), climbing waterfalls by Emerald Bay and trudging through East Texas sloughs to find beaver dams, wood ducks and deer sheds. It’s not all grand escapades though. Some of their greatest times are just spent playing golf, surfing Lake Buchanan, two-stepping and being with family. No matter what they’re doing, life together is anything but dull. Their forever story began with yet another adventure - a hike off the beaten path at Pedernales State Park. On a boulder by the river, Nic got down on one knee and asked Makenzie to marry him. She thought he was joking at first—hard to blame her, as Nic is a man who rarely takes things seriously and Makenzie is someone who plans everything! But it was no joke. They celebrated by carving their initials into a cypress tree and toasting with champagne, perfectly capturing the essence of their relationship: heartfelt, adventurous and full of surprises. They can’t wait to celebrate and begin their happily ever after with all of you!