It all started when they were both 15 years old, and Austin moved to Challis, Idaho, from Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania. They were both on the Challis-Mackey Baseball team; his dad was the coach. Zoe started baseball later in the season because she couldn't make up her mind on whether she was going to play or not. She couldn't throw a ball, and her swing wasn't very beautiful, but her brownies were awesome.

They started talking to each other, but Zoe started most of the conversations. She found herself practicing new hobbies she knew Austin enjoyed, like four-wheeling, hiking, looking for deer on the side of the road and pointing them out, following Major League Baseball, skiing, and learning to look interested in new hunting stories he would tell her. She quit most of these after a while. On the other hand, Austin learned that he loved caring for Zoe through all of the activities they did together. He didn't care if she was good at finding deer (although that would be a plus) or if she cried almost every time they went skiing. He just wanted to spend time with her and have fun with their time together.

Austin and Zoe's love story began on October 16, 2017, when they were walking the high school hallway, and Zoe cleared the air on whether or not they were "official." It became more "official" on June 7, 2024, when Austin brought Zoe to Redfish Lake in Stanley, ID, and got down on one knee to ask her to marry him.

The exact words:

Zoe: WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!

Austin: *pulling the ring out of his pocket*

Well, I was wondering if you will marry me?

Zoe: HAHA YESSS!

Obviously, she said yes, and they can't wait to live life together for Jesus and be stronger disciples for the Lord together.

The Colors

June 14, 2025