While Taylor was living in Flagstaff, she and Austin had numerous mutual friends eager to introduce them, but fate had other plans—they kept narrowly missing each other by just a few days. Finally, at a friend’s birthday celebration, their Maid of Honor, Lexi, brought them together, and the connection was instant. Just a week later, at only their second meeting, Austin made the bold decision to make things official, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. They began dating on February 29, 2020—a rare and special day, perfect for the start of their love story. The next time Austin was in Flagstaff, they had their first official date at the Lowell Observatory, followed by sharing pizza at Grimaldi’s. Even though they were already together, they both knew they had found something truly special. When COVID made visiting difficult, they made the most of every opportunity to see each other, keeping their relationship strong despite the distance. Together, they’ve built a love filled with adventure, traveling whenever possible—from visiting Taylor’s mom in Costa Rica to exploring Austin’s childhood home in Dallas, and celebrating the Fourth of July at Taylor’s grandfather’s home in Montana. On the morning of July 14, 2024, Austin woke Taylor up to find him down on one knee, asking her to spend forever with him. The moment was intimate and special—they celebrated over breakfast, savoring their little secret before sharing the news with loved ones. A few weeks later, they celebrated with both of their families and began counting down the days until they become the Vance's. Now, they can’t wait to share this next chapter of their love story with you! See you in November!