It started under an air vent at Star Bar. More specifically, it started when a very sweaty Alison walked up to a group of strangers and demanded they move so that she could stand under an air vent at Star Bar. Dave happened to be one of those strangers. He introduced himself with his best pick-up line "Hi I'm David...I don't know why I said that...no one calls me that...my name is Dave." The pair talked about which bands they were excited to see at Austin City Limits Music Festival and shared a basket of Tumble 22 hot chicken (the only reason Alison was at Star Bar in the first place). Dave must have said something right because Alison canceled her Uber to ACL fest and agreed to join the group at another bar...and she NEVER cancels an Uber. One bar and many beers later, Dave and Alison walked to the festival together and ended the night dancing to Justice. This was their unofficial first date. The official first date was a few days later at a mutually agreed upon sushi restaurant with ample parking.

Dave proposed at Enchanted Rock, Alison's favorite place in Texas. He had everything meticulously planned: First, their friends Matt & Richard would invite them on a birding trip. This was normal because birding trips were now a weekly occurrence for the couple in COVID-times, there was no way Alison could be suspicious. Then, they would hike to the top of Enchanted Rock where Dave would drop to one knee, surprise Alison, and ask her to be his wife. In reality, Alison knew Dave was going to propose because he left the engagement ring receipt on the counter. Dave knew Alison knew he was going to propose because she wore makeup and painted her nails to go on a hike. Despite this knowledge, Dave forgot which finger he was supposed to put the ring on and Alison panicked and tried to run away. It was perfect. They still went birding after the proposal and saw their nemesis bird, a Zone-tailed Hawk. If none of that makes sense, just ask...Dave and Alison will talk about birds and their birding adventures for hours.