Our love story began when I sent Riley a message on Bumble. I had moved from San Francisco to Austin during COVID, looking to explore a new city and had intended to stay for only about six to eight months. That’s when Riley came into my life.

Our first date was at Radio in South Austin. From the moment we met, we fell in love—well at least I did. Andie was so beautiful in her little pink Chuck Taylor’s, drinking her West Coast IPA.

We started dating casually, seeing each other every now and then, but I was super busy, always traveling. Riley was also very busy, touring with the Lewd Dudes from Texas to Florida.

Even with the many trips and extracurriculars, we found time to make it work. For me, my feelings for Riley became really real on his birthday. We went to a punk rock show and, on our way to another live music venue, we sang "Alive with the Glory of Love" by Say Anything in the car. From that point on, I wanted to be around him every single day. He couldn’t get rid of me.

Yeah, I couldn’t get rid of her.

Riley invited me on a road trip to Terlingua for a chili cook-off. It would’ve been both of our first times attending. Somewhere between a laughter-filled meal at Cowboy Camp and two-stepping to Mike and the Moonpies, Terlingua became one of our most favorite places.

It’s where we both believe we really fell in love.

We were giggling on the hill after dinner. We both laid down under the stars, looked at each other, and Riley told me he was starting to feel something. I said I was starting to feel something too. Then Riley said, "I think it’s love."

Later that night, it was clear: it was love.

I even wrote a song about Andie that night, which I may even finish and record someday.

From there on out, we made a home together with our poodle, Tico, and our three chickens, Dos, Eggies, and Tecate. We love to travel and explore new places. Some of our favorite trips together include Spain, Mexico, and Boston to visit Papa Eliot.

When we are home in Austin we try new food (dining out and cooking at home), enjoy live music (especially when Riley is playing) and go on runs and bike rides. We both equally enjoy spending time with our family and travel to Dallas/Fort Worth and California quite often.

Riley proposed to me under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco in February 2024.

I planned the entire trip without telling her anything, and although she loves making the plans, this time it was my turn. We hopped on a flight to SFO, had brunch at her favorite spot in The Haight, made our way to the Battery and proposed on a cliff overlooking the bay, our families waiting below on the beach.

And that’s our love story. We’re so excited to share this journey with all of you.