Austin and Allie’s first date wasn’t at a movie theater, and neither of them are big into horror films, but oddly enough, this date started with a jump scare. Austin made the plan; they would meet at a small coffee shop in Raleigh at 11. Allie, coming all the way from Clayton, was running a few minutes behind. She raced through traffic, swung into a parking spot, and as she stepped out of her VW bug for what she thought would be a peaceful 20 second walk before entering the coffee shop, BOOM! There was Austin. Right in front of her. He apologized for startling her (although, to be fair, he was just existing within 10 feet of her in a public space). They spent the next 4 hours talking, laughing, and accusing each other of playing footsie with the other. The thing that Allie was most impressed by, besides his Uncle Iroh impression, was that Austin agreed to join her on a trip to The Container Store after their date. Austin proposed to Allie on September 7th, 2025 in Duke Gardens, a little less than three years after their coffee date. Come to find out - neither of them even drink coffee! Allie and Austin have cherished the time they’ve spent with each other’s families, and can’t wait to join them together in front of their closest friends and loved ones on April 22nd, 2026.

Austin and Allie met in person for the first time at a coffee shop in Raleigh on a Sunday afternoon. Prior to this meeting, Austin bullied Allie into giving him her phone number, then proceeded to call her every night for a week, talking no less than an hour each night. Allie showed up exactly on time. Austin pulled into the parking lot after Allie did. Allie was getting out of the car when Austin snuck around the front of his truck, which he had parked right next to Allie's Bug without her knowledge, and when she was turned towards the building and away from him, he intentionally scared her. On the date, Austin did a mildly amusing Uncle Iroh impression as he drank a cup of tea. They did not play footsie. They have never played footsie. Austin called Allie after their date that same night. Austin FINALLY proposed after three years, waiting 2 years and 49 weeks after Allie knew she wanted to marry Austin. They cannot wait to be joined together before God and everyone they love on April 22nd at Hayes Barton United Methodist. It has been a long time coming, but it was a love that was worth the wait.