It all started in 2011. Josie and Tom met in Lawrence, KS while attending KU. It was her freshman year and his sophomore year. Little did they know that their friendly run-ins at the Hawk and the Wheel, sharing brats and beers at Brad Vignatelli’s famous KU football tailgates, and even attending similar Kappa and Phi Delt date parties would be the beginning of it all. A couple of years later, their friendship took a new turn—though not in the way you might expect. Tom, the cool, calm, and collected Manager of the Hawk, was in charge of hiring bartenders. One day, while passing Josie on campus, he casually stopped her, “You’re turning 21 soon? Are you interested in bartending?” Before long, Tom was training Josie to pour a perfectly crafted Red Bull Vodka in the one and only Boom Boom Room (IYKYK). They both admit there were some sparks, but Tom, being the responsible boss he was, kept things strictly professional. After graduation, they went their separate ways—some might say they were just finding themselves… Now, here’s where the fun begins! In May 2022, Tom was living his best life in Austin, TX, while Josie was traveling to Austin for a work retreat. Feeling bold, Josie slid into Tom’s Instagram DMs, responding to an adorable story featuring his two-year-old dog, Reggie. After some playful banter, the two made plans to catch up over drinks at Whisler’s—now considered “the first date.” Josie admits she was all in the moment she saw Tom’s effortlessly cool mullet (a moment for the mullet in pic below). Tom, equally smitten, would eventually visit Josie in Los Angeles, where they made things “official” as boyfriend and girlfriend. Six months later, Tom helped Josie pack up her car and drove with her to Austin, where they began building a wonderful life together with their sweet dog, Reggie. It was destiny, fate, written in the stars—whatever you want to call it—that these two would end up together. They feel incredibly grateful to come from amazing Midwest families and to have wonderful parents as role models. They share a vision for a loving future filled with family, friends, faith, and more time on the lake. And cheering on the Kansas Jayhawks, of course. They cannot wait to celebrate their marriage with all of you!