Austin and Evelyn first crossed paths in Raleigh, North Carolina, thanks to Hinge - the dating app that really was meant to be deleted!, They met in December 2020, and after weeks of long conversations, the first date was set, and in January 2021 they were officially together.

At the time, Evelyn was deep in medical school and living an hour away, which made weekends sacred. They filled them with brewery dates, comedy shows, hikes through the Carolina trails, cozy movie nights, and plenty of cooking together in the kitchen. Sometimes, the “date” was simply Evelyn studying while Austin sat nearby playing video games or watching sports. Evelyn occasionally tried to share bits of medical knowledge, though Austin was usually too squeamish to keep up.

Along the way, Austin met Gustavo, Evelyn’s beloved pup. Gustavo quickly decided Austin was acceptable company - and before long, Austin had been promoted to fur dad status.

Through it all, Austin brought Evelyn a sense of calm and steadiness during the stress of school, while she drew out his goofy, playful side. Together, they struck a balance that just felt effortless.

After two years of dating, Evelyn had finally graduated from medical school and matched into residency in Boone, North Carolina, right in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. Luckily, Austin’s job is remote, which made their next decision easy: buy a house and together and move to the high country. 

Over time, they have continued to grow closer as a couple and have turned their house into a home. Austin has been a strong support for their little family, taking on cooking, cleaning, dog wrangling (a job that deserves its own medal), and general morale-boosting during Evelyn’s long 12–15 hour days. They added a second dog, Pepper, to the mix, who keeps everyone on their toes, and have made sure weekends remain sacred, a chance to reconnect after long weeks of work and residency.

Austin had a plan. It started with a ring and an idea - a proposal at their favorite state park, a place filled with so many of their best memories together. He waited patiently for the perfect weekend, imagining the moment exactly as he wanted it to be.

Then Hurricane Helene hit in September 2024, shutting down every park in the area and putting everything on hold. Undeterred, Austin began searching for a new “perfect moment” everywhere he could think of. He considered candlelit dinners, walks downtown, and quiet evenings at home, but nothing ever felt quite right. All the while, the ring stayed safely in his pocket, waiting patiently for that ever-elusive moment when everything would feel just right.

Months later, the park finally reopened. Austin packed up the car and the dogs, keeping his anticipation and hope a secret from Evelyn. When they arrived, the trails were still closed, but the campground on the state park grounds had opened, offering wide, open spaces for the dogs to run freely. Surrounded by the familiar trees and woods they had hiked together countless times, the crisp November air carried the sound of leaves underfoot, and Evelyn’s laughter rang out as she played with the dogs.

It wasn’t the overlook he had imagined - but watching Evelyn and the dogs play together, being their goofy selves, and seeing the little family they had built, he realized it was perfectly them. With a steadying breath, Austin got down on one knee, and the rest, as they say, became history.

Officiant

College Roomate of the groom, good friend of the couple since the beginning.