Austin and Valerie’s love story began in the summer of 2014, in Lexington, Kentucky. They met just as Valerie was moving into Lexington to attend her first year at the University of Kentucky (UK). On their one date during this time, Austin took Valerie to the top of the tallest building downtown, and enjoyed the view of the city, at sunset.

Austin graduated from UK, and went to his first year of law school at Florida State University. After just one year, he decided to come back to Lexington to finish law school at UK.

It had been some years since Valerie and Austin had their date, but he had never forgotten her. Austin’s mother, Kim, was helping him move into his new apartment back in Lexington, and she caught sight of a beautiful, blonde girl, next door and remarked to Austin, “You’re going to love having her next door.” Austin had not seen the girl his mother described yet, but just hearing Kim’s description of her, he thought it might be Valerie. He was over the moon to find out that it was.

Austin and Valerie built a strong friendship at first. They spent most days together, walking to campus, celebrating a CATS win on the weekends, and never missing an episode of Game of Thrones.

They cared for one another and wanted the best for each other, always. One time, Austin asked Valerie to participate in his mock-trial final so he could pass a class, giving her only a couple of hours to prepare to be his witness. Again at the law school’s Barristers Ball, Austin needed a last-minute date, and she was there. Valerie cherished Austin as a dear friend; he was ever-present next door, ready to offer assistance or share ideas on current events, news, and philosophy. When Valerie found herself recovering from a broken pinky toe and reliant on crutches, or any and all hardships, Austin would visit daily to uplift her spirits and make her happy. He did so by bringing tacos, playing a game of chess, or delivering a classic joke.

In 2018, Valerie and Austin took a ski trip among close friends to the Rocky Mountains. It was there, on top of a majestic mountain that Austin shared his love for Valerie, and after already living so close and sharing a wall between them for so many years, they moved in together.

Austin became a lawyer, and Valerie worked in Marketing for the Horse Racing Industry. They took on caring for a loving young Australian Shepherd, named Callie. In 2020, Austin and Valerie discovered the world of digital assets, and took a massive risk to leave their 9-5 jobs and try something new, together. Fortunately, having the support of each other, they found great success and bought their first home in 2022.

That was the same year Austin proposed, again on a mountain (technically), in the Appalachian Foothills of his mother’s horse & cattle farm, in Burksville, KY. He had a violinist and violist perform, close family to attend, and he got on one knee, leaving a diamond ring on her left hand.

Now, the couple is approaching their Wedding Day, on June 8th, 2024.

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