Austen and Doris' story began with a coffee date on July 29, 2023 at Impresso Espresso in SeaTac, WA. From the start of the date, it was immediately apparent that there was a spark, and they spent the next 2 hours conversing with one another. Even after the date was over, Austen and Doris couldn't wait to talk to each other and texted each other throughout the week.

Their second date was even better. Austen was intrigued by Doris' Kenyan heritage and suggested that they try a Kenyan restaurant as their second date. Austen tried goat stew for the first time, as well as ugali, pilau, chapati, and tripe. While going on a nice nighttime walk after dinner, Austen and Doris shared their first kiss.

Their love quickly blossomed over the coming months. Austen and Doris went to a wedding together, attended the Bumbershoot music festival, visited a German pub, and even celebrated Doris' birthday with a homecooked meal at Austen's apartment.

October was soon upon them, and Austen was eager to share his love of Halloween with Doris. They went to the pumpkin patch together, attended a haunted house, and even dressed up in costume as Austin Powers and Foxy Cleopatra while visiting Austen's brother Tristan in Capitol Hill. While watching the movie Get Out, Austen told Doris that he loved her, and Doris said she loved him back 😊.

So many wonderful memories would soon follow. Austen got to meet Doris' friends Nelly and John, who were expecting their first child. Doris also got to meet Austen's parents for the first time at Thanksgiving. She also got to meet Austen's brother Andrew, and his girlfriend Camille. Over the course of the next year, Austen and Doris would take a trip to New York together, attend several stand up comedy shows, went to a Metallica concert together, & engaged in a Planet of the Apes movie marathon. Austen’s dad came to visit the Washington area and got to meet Doris. The both of them visited Doris' family in Dallas for Christmas.

Eventually Austen decided that his love burned so brightly for Doris, and that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. On December 8th, 2024, with the assistance of his brother Tristan, Austen asked for Doris' hand in marriage in the holiday-lit city square of Redmond. She happily said yes, and the rest is history.

D&A