monica moved from california to texas in 2012, later graduating from southwestern university & landing a job in the advertising industry. blair moved from maryland to kansas to san antonio to dallas to austin...graduating from k-state & landing job(s) in sales. they were both living in austin when they met, finding their way to each other months before a worldwide pandemic - thanks, tinder! monica & blair share a love of sports, cooking (& eating), exploring austin, video games, and of course, animals. blair actually came as a package deal - anyone who knows blair probably knows shea, the most perfect black lab / border collie / large puppy anyone could ever dream of. this only made monica's decision easier. six months after meeting, belle the long-tailed cat was adopted & joined our small family. (and yes, shea & belle get along extremely well - we often find them snuggled on the bed together.)

words from the groom-to-be: "after wanting to propose for months, I knew moni deserved an over-the-top proposal. since our families are on both coasts, I thought there might be an opportunity to bring everyone together for the proposal and surprise engagement party. I planned and planned and planned, calling numerous wineries and coordinating all of our closest family and friends to fly into town for the surprise. I ordered a big flower bouquet, bought a couple canvas pictures and easels, and rented out the backyard of a winery. it was all going smoothly until stubborn moni came out and decided last minute (the morning of the proposal) that she didn't want to go on the 'girls day' i had asked her friend to plan..." words from the bride-to-be: "okay let me set the scene for you - the new animal crossing update had just come out, blair was going to be golfing all day, and I was excited to have the house to myself and just veg out. my friend grace was attempting to get me out of the house, being super persistent and not taking no for an answer. I was also being super persistent, I had very important plans (animal crossing)." words from the groom-to-be: "so, i went off on my 'golf day' and really, really pushed her to go with her friend once I had already left the house. she realized something was up and thought I would propose at home that night." words from the bride-to-be: "...so now I'm thinking 'okay he's going to propose when I get back from the wineries with my friends, perfect.' the gals & I proceed to go to the saltlick (texas bbq, would recommend), and I proceed to eat my weight in brisket and coleslaw. we finish up and drive over to the first winery, get out of the car & start walking over to the backyard area. and just like a movie...as I'm walking over, I hear my favorite song start playing (yes, I'm crying writing this)...and I turn to my friend and say 'I love this song!' I turn back and MUCH to my surprise, blair was standing there with a beautiful bouquet of flowers." words from the groom-to-be: "luckily, the plan was smooth from there. our friends and family hid in the backyard of the winery, i started playing one of our favorite songs as she was walking up, she turned and saw me and her tears started flowing. I'm still not even sure if she firmly said yes while crying but the ring hasn't left her finger...so I think we're good."