Spencer and I had seen each other around town once he moved back to Austin in 2021 at live music shows. At some point we learned each other's names and music taste, but that was about it. Fast forward a year or so and I was now single and rushing after roller derby practice to catch one of my favorite local bands, A Giant Dog, play the headline show at Hotel Vegas' Anniversary Party. I was alone, sweaty and feeling a little awkward but plopped myself in the crowd in front of the stage waiting for the band to start. This is how I met our great friend and now officiant - Dave! I saw he had a King Gizzard tattoo, we hit it off and he mentioned something about being here with his buddy, Spencer. "Oh, Spencer?? I know him!" and there he was, tall, wonderful and striding over with a big smile on his face as soon as he saw me. We had an absolute blast at the show and I was desperate for food once it was over so sat down with a burger and he sat right next to me as we got to know each other for the first time. Spencer then very coolly asked "So... you want to hang out NOT at a show some time?" and delighted - I said "OK SPENCER YEAH". He then proceeded to help me finish my oversized burger and we had our first date later that week. The rest is history, as they say, and we've been falling in love with each other more and more each day since that show at Hotel Vegas.

Two years later to the day, we're living together in the cutest, coziest house on the east side with our 3 cats Phoebe, Buster and Twitch. It's our anniversary and SXSW is just around the corner which means Hotel Vegas is also having their big Anniversary Party to kick it off early. Spencer had been encouraging me to take some days off so we could go and enjoy our anniversary without worrying about work the next day. He was being extremely sweet all week and especially that day. He got me to get my nails done for the first time ever "so they look good for SXSW" which I didn't even bat an eye at, bought the remaining 4 packs of Lone Star Tallboys in town (another shortage was happening during this month) and also showered me with flowers, delicious food and love. Later that evening we're getting ready to see our good friend Andrew Cashen play with his band and I'm desperately trying to get ready in time so we're not late with Spencer gently rushing me along. He suggests we wear something really nice since it's our anniversary, I say sure but not my special dress he got me in Spain that would be silly if I spilt beer on it. BUT I would wear my $20 blue sequin jumpsuit that I loved to wear when I was feeling flashy. We get to Hotel Vegas, Andrew Cashen sees me and is extremely excited which I thought was nice and told him we were pumped for his set! Then a lot of my derby teammates and friends start showing up which I figured was just because they were also excited for SXSW. Little did I know during the set, Andrew Cashen would sing a cover of "Can't Help Falling In Love" and as Spencer and I are swaying together, he'd let go and get down on one knee as I stare in disbelief before saying "Yes" a million times and crying surrounded by my Austin family, my parents arriving shortly after and a wave of calls from happy family and friends after that.

Our life has been a roller coaster since and it's only going to get crazier. Spencer got his dream job at Neura Robotics as a Vision Engineer and we made the tough but exciting decision to move to Stuttgart, Germany and start our next chapter there. We are going to dearly miss our friends and family but hope to have many of y'all visit us in our new home (once we find one)!