A Match Made on the Kickball Field

We met in San Francisco on a kickball team, the kind of casual weeknight league that ends with tacos and new friendships. I was deep in my medical residency, learning to handle night shifts and long hours, while Austin was a high school history teacher turning teenage angst into enthusiasm for learning. Between kickball games, brunch dates, and a shared love for travel and outdoor adventures, we started building the foundation of the life we dreamed of in California.

When we moved in together, Austin embraced my ever-growing jungle of houseplants, and I learned to manage my cat allergies for his tabby cat, Bert. Three years later, after many travels around the world, countless hikes, and spontaneous getaways, I finished residency and accepted my dream job at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. Austin was eager to move back to his hometown and transition out of teaching.

We packed up and headed south, trading walks through Golden Gate Park for runs along West Beach. Now we even work for the same hospital. Austin keeps things running smoothly in HR, while I keep things running in the operating room. Not long after settling in, we welcomed a fluffy new addition (Meeko) who completed our little family and keeps Bert on his toes. From triathlons to volleyball leagues, a little friendly competition and our shared love for life in Santa Barbara are guiding us into our next big adventure — marriage.

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