Andrew and Spencer swipe right. Andrew takes the time to write out a real first message! Noticing one of Spencer’s photos was in Paris, Andrew decides to ask about it. Unfortunately for him, Paris is not Spencer’s favorite city and it takes her a week to respond. We won’t discuss how he also called her “quite the cutie” in that message. He made an effort, and that’s what counted.

Andrew and Hubert meet for the first time and it’s a rocky start. Oh, also Spencer & Andrew’s first date.

Andrew & Spencer venture out to Dripping Springs. Andrew had mentioned he liked beer, so, Spencer also being a beer fan, they decide to go to Jester King and Family Business. Spencer learns their definitions of liking beer are very different. Eventually, she will come around to Andrew’s way of thinking (which includes photographing and rating every beer and living in a home with multiple beer storage areas).

Andrew takes Spencer to her first Texas Stars game. It’s the first of so, so many. Spencer also meets Bella for the first time and becomes convinced the incessant licking means she’s trying to eat her.

Spencer’s family visits Austin. Andrew casually asks if he should meet them and Spencer casually says that would be nice. Spencer decides this is officially anything but casual and starts calling Andrew her boyfriend without discussing it with him. He never protests.

Andrew takes Spencer to her first Round Rock Express game. Her life is now all about sports. So many sports. It will still be awhile before he can coax her out to an Austin Spurs game.

Andrew introduces Spencer to Barks 4 Beers! Over the course of the month, they drink at so many breweries and meet so many dogs. It’s outstanding.

Spencer & Andrew attend their first concert together. It’s country music, and Andrew is a very good sport even though he accidentally left his phone in the car.

Best friends and bridesmaids, Kyra and Layla, come to Austin for a visit. Andrew wins them over by baking a cheesecake to welcome them. Spencer feels very lucky to have someone who cares so much about impressing her friends, but wonders why it had to be a cheesecake (because ick).

Spencer & Andrew fly to SF for Thanksgiving with her family. It’s their first trip away and their first holiday together.

Spencer travels to Indiana to meet Andrew’s family and spend NYE with them! Andrew then makes her drive back to Texas. It’s their first roadtrip (first of many!). They stop at Makers Mark to dip bourbon bottles, visit a very fancy Bass Pro Shops in Memphis, and stop at the Clinton Presidential Library in Arkansas where a true obsession is born. Andrew learns to accept that roadtrips are now about the journey.

Andrew lets Spencer dress him up to celebrate Mardi Gras and best friend/bridesmaid Caroline’s 30th birthday. He continues to be a good sport and is welcomed by her friends.

Andrew & Spencer travel to North Carolina to celebrate his birthday! They drink beer and watch hockey, just like they would have back in Texas, but the weather is infinitely nicer.

Andrew & Spencer take their first international trip together! They visit a place very special to Spencer: Barbados. Andrew gets to meet her extended family, drink out of his first coconut, and explore some caves! Spencer’s cousin, Kyle, drives them all over the island and even finds them a local brewery.

Andrew’s first trip to Pasadena! Spencer makes him hit all her favorite spots (sometimes twice) and they get to celebrate Ashley & Josh's wedding! They also visit the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, their second. Spencer becomes an annual pass member and they vow to hit three more libraries before their year is up.

Spencer visits the Cameron Cove for the first time! Andrew’s family has been going for 30 years and Andrew is excited to introduce Spencer to all their favorite spots. They eat a lot of fish dip and go to a lot of Rays games. The touch tank is Spencer’s favorite part.

Spencer buys a house and officially asks Andrew to move in with her. They spend the first week sleeping in separate rooms because Bella is a bully and Hubert is a menace. They eventually come around, thanks to Andrew’s patience and dedication. He is officially both cat’s favorite human and Spencer is totally fine with that. Really. She’s great. It’s fine.

Spencer & Andrew visit the Trail of Lights together for the first time. Andrew remarks how the big tree would be a very romantic place to propose and Spencer about has a heart attack from excitement. It’s a false alarm, and Spencer still hasn’t recovered.

Spencer & Andrew visit the Grand Canyon! They take the train from Williams and spend a few hours exploring, which is about all Spencer could manage with her foot in a boot. She wonders if maybe, just maybe this is the day Andrew will propose, but another false alarm.

Spencer & Andrew decide to do an easy hike at Zion to see some waterfalls. Spencer nearly slips on ice a half dozen times, so Andrew basically acts as her walking stick. After returning safely to their car, they opt to drive the rest of the park. They come across a particularly beautiful overlook and decide to explore. While they’re admiring The Great White Throne, Andrew proposes. Spencer cries. The woman whose child almost interrupted the moment is mortified. It’s absolutely perfect.