We met at Planet Fitness near the end of 2022. For a couple of months, we’d been secretly stealing glances at each other across the gym — both too shy to make the first move. One day, Austin finally came over to give me a few tips on an exercise, and that’s how we exchanged names for the first time. Not long after, one of the friendly “talks-to-everyone” guys at the gym struck up a conversation with me and mentioned, “You should talk to Austin — he’s single.” I laughed and said, “Oh really? I actually think he’s pretty cute.” Of course, the next day, that same guy couldn’t resist telling Austin exactly what I’d said. By Thursday that week, Austin finally asked for my number, and the very next day we went on what became our unofficial first date. The rest, as they say, is history!

The day Austin proposed was nothing short of perfect - simple, sincere, and so us. We were in New Orleans and just passing time before our cruise, but I knew something was on his mind. He could barely eat his favorite bread pudding pancakes at breakfast (which never happens), and later in the hotel he couldn't stop pacing, insisting he was "just bored". We were sitting on a bench at the Woldenberg Riverfront Park, just enjoying the view and talking. As we talked, he started reminiscing about all the trips we'd taken together over the past two years, then he looked me in the eyes and said that he didn't want me to be his girlfriend on this trip. He reached into his pocket, pulled out the ring, and asked me to marry him. Of course, I said YES!