Our story started on a super stormy night in November of 2022. David picked me up from my tiny study apartment in south central Austin. He wore a bright orange hat that I will never forget. I liked his face immediately and knew I was in trouble! We got into Claire’s 98’ Toyota Camry. He put on a Fugees cassette tape and we made out way down to Waterloo Park for Creekshow, a light show made up of local artist. When we got there the park was totally dark…weird for a light show but got out and made a loop around the park before heading to the entrance of the show. It rained earlier that day but stopped hours before the show and neither of us even bothered to check the website for updates on park closures so surely it was still open. Nope but not to worry! We made another loop around the park and then headed to Ramen Tatsuya to warm up. I laughed the entire way and my heart settled into the sweetest place. He finished his ramen and my ramen and the we walked down East 6th to one of our favorite bars, Shangri-La where I tried like hell to charm him but he wouldn’t budge. He stayed cool as cucumber while I nudged him while playing pool and touched his arm while sipping cocktails. I thought surely he’s not that into me as we wrapped up and he escorted me safely back home but we hugged and agreed to catch the show again the next day. We kissed on our second date and I think we both knew this something special.

A few years later and we are living in our small home on the East Side of Austin with our dog Gumbeau and the loveliest neighbors, Claire, Thomas and Caio! We have traveled. We have played and danced. We grown as individuals and as a couple. We had highs and lows and all the while communicating, laughing and saying “I love you". There’s no person in the world I’d rather be married to. David is kind and gentle and silly. My life is so full of love I have no idea what to do with it except give as freely as he does to the people around him.