Bear Creek Retreat 13813 Carpenter Ln, Manchaca, TX 78652 Time: 4:45 in the afternoon Attire: Semi-formal Transportation: Highly recommend carpooling or ride share

Carol had just completed her post-doc fellowship in Houston and decided to move to Austin for a new job. A couple months later, Carol and Nicholas met online, bonding over shared interests and hobbies. Their first date took place at The Golden Goose in November 2022. Nicholas’ heart skipped a beat when he first saw Carol. They sat outside, enjoying beet cocktails and talked the night away. They engaged in conversation about food, travel, and staying active. Although Nicholas felt a bit nervous, talking with Carol calmed his nerves and brought him joy. For their second date, Nicholas invited Carol to the Austin Studio Tours a few days later. At the start of the date, Carol surprised him with a matcha brownie, a gesture that touched him. He knew then that she was a sweetheart and has been since. They explored art exhibits, visited various studios, and discovered a mutual love for 90s karaoke. Carol sang "Lucky" by Britney Spears, and Nicholas performed "Larger Than Life" by the Backstreet Boys. It was during this karaoke session that Nicholas realized he was falling for Carol. Their relationship blossomed as they attended Nicholas's company holiday party together, dancing the night away and feeling the sparks fly. Since then, they've shared countless experiences including cooking meals together, traveling together, and supporting each other. Through these moments, Nicholas has found a sense of warmth, peace, and confidence he had never experienced before meeting Carol.