It all started in January 2023, when Austin and I crossed paths and quickly realized we were meant to be. From the very beginning, there was something special between us. Our first date was at Dania Beach, followed by ice cream, and I couldn’t help but feel like this was the start of something incredible. We talked and laughed, and by the end of the evening, I knew I had met someone truly special.

On February 15, 2023—just after Valentine’s Day—Austin asked me to be his girlfriend while we were watching the light show at the Guitar Hotel. It was a moment that felt so right. I’ll never forget the way I felt in that moment: excited, happy, and so sure that he was the one I’d been waiting for.

One of the first things Austin fell in love with was my cat, Ravioli. He quickly became the best "dad" to Ravioli, often offering to babysit him when I was away for softball games. I think Ravioli loved watching us fall in love, and I’m certain he’d be here with us today, wagging his little tail, so proud of how far we’ve come.

We share a deep love for sports, and many of our fondest memories have been made together at games. We’ve cheered for the Marlins (except when they were playing the Braves or Rays) and shared laughs over cheap tickets, food, and drinks. Our adventures in sports even led to us attending a few NFL games, including my very first Dolphins game, where they put up a staggering 70+ points on the Denver Broncos! Of course, Austin also managed to get me hooked on F1, and we had the thrill of attending the Miami Grand Prix. It was a day full of speed, excitement, and a little bit of sunburn, but we loved every minute of it. We’ve also gone to games for the Braves, Rays, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, always sharing those special moments together. It’s been more than just watching sports; it’s been about sharing our passions and creating lasting memories as a couple.

Outside of sports, we’ve spent so much time together—whether it was at the gym, church, on walks, or cooking together at home. Our shared love of simple, meaningful moments has been one of the things I cherish most. Whether we were trying a new recipe or just talking about our day, being with Austin always felt like home.

Since our sweet Ravioli passed away, we’ve rescued three sibling kittens who have brought so much joy and chaos into our home. Their names are Mako, Rigatoni, and Megatron—yes, you can guess who came up with that last one. These little furballs have been a constant reminder of the love and warmth that surrounds us, and they’re lucky to have parents who are as devoted to them as we are to each other

But the moment that truly marked the next chapter in our love story was the day Austin proposed. On the evening before Thanksgiving, we had a beautiful dinner with both our families. It was intimate, full of love, and just perfect. After dinner, Austin whisked me away for a quiet moment to ourselves, and when we stepped outside, I was completely surprised to find my best friends waiting to celebrate with me. It was absolutely perfect—everything I could’ve dreamed of and more.

As we embark on this next chapter together, we’re excited to move to Georgia, where Austin will have to get used to cold winters (don’t worry, we’ll make sure he has enough warm jackets). We can’t wait to build our future together, creating even more memories and sharing our love with the world.

To all our friends and family, thank you for the love and support you’ve shown us. Your presence today means the world to us, and we are beyond grateful to have you here to celebrate this special day. We can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives together, and we’re so happy to have you all by our side.

With all our love,

Julia & Austin

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