Austin and I met through mutual friends and a shared role as RA at our favorite place, Furman University! My memories of that time aren’t as clear as Austin’s, but I do remember him as kind, goofy, and easy to talk to. At some point that spring, Austin asked me out and I said no. In true Austin fashion, he was persistent and tried for the next month to really get to know me. We had fun and I knew he was a great guy, but I knew the time was not right.

Five years later, right after Austin moved to Kansas, he sent me a text out of the blue and I agreed that I would go on a date with him if he were ever in Birmingham. I honestly thought it would never happen, but that May we went on our first date. That next fall we started talking on the phone regularly. Many many hours on the phone later and I knew I had been way wrong back on 2012!

Austin came to visit me December 22, 2017 and we officially started dating! Two years of long distance dating later and Austin moved to Birmingham! On our third Anniversary date, Austin proposed on the rooftop of the Elyton hotel. I was so surprised, which may have been Austin’s primary objective!!! In fact, before he even asked me to marry him he asked are you surprised?!”

Austin and I have grown so much individually and as a couple in the past three years. Our relationship has had its ups and downs, but always more ups than downs. Austin is always willing to pray, to read a book together, and to have discussions that challenge either of us to grow. I think our relationship has relied heavily on humility, patience and a whole lot of help from Jesus!

I am endlessly thankful for Austin’s persistence in pursuing me over the past 10 years!!! We cannot wait to celebrate the culmination of this persistence with our friends and family!!

J&A

Wedding Day

#BlissfullyBlackwell