Our Story · Monica & Austin

Chapter One

How we met

We matched on OkCupid in July 2023 — Austin was in Hawaii when the conversation started, and not even COVID and a quiet spell could keep it from picking right back up. The first date was at Monica's favorite restaurant, Sichuanese Cuisine in Plano, where Austin confidently ordered the cumin beef — not yet knowing that cumin was the name of the one spice he can't stand. He found out. He stayed anyway.

The moment it clicked · two accounts

Monica's version

It was the way he was patient with her, fully accepted the parts of herself she was still struggling to accept, and returned her efforts and affection sincerely. 🧿

Austin's version

She spilled a huge drop of gravy on herself, didn't notice, and he liked that about her.

"You two look like the cutest couple." — a wise stranger outside Meow Wolf, date three · "We weren't before she said it — and we were after."

Chapter Two

The proposal

Monica — a Harry Potter fan of legendary commitment — had always wanted to visit the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London. For her birthday in 2025, Austin took her there, parents in tow, for what she calls the best day ever. In the middle of it, right in front of the Hogwarts Express, he proposed before they boarded the train. A true surprise, on her favorite day, in her favorite place.

What she didn't know: the ring had been secured months earlier, on a New York trip that was secretly a cover story. A jeweler they knew in the Diamond District showed her one she loved — and while they "went to Chinatown," the ring was quietly bought. Many carefully laid secret plans later, it was waiting for her at the Hogwarts Express.

Monica and Austin beside the Hogwarts Express, moments before the proposal — Platform 9¾ — moments before

Austin on one knee proposing in front of the Hogwarts Express — The kneel — steam effects courtesy of the Hogwarts Express

Monica showing the engagement ring — The ring — still processing

Monica and Austin in Gryffindor and Slytherin scarves outside the studio tour — Have you seen these wizards? (Gryffindor & Slytherin — a house divided)

Monica and Austin selfie at Trafalgar Square at night — Trafalgar Square — newly engaged

The two of us

Bride & Groom

About Monica

Hi, I'm Monica! Mental health therapist, fiancée, dog mom, and daughter. Originally from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Monica moved to Plano in her teens and is now a licensed trauma therapist working with many organizations. She loves all things with paws, fur, or tails — and the Harry Potter devotion is real: she listens to the complete series eight or nine times a year. (The films only get two or three watches.)

About Austin

Austin is a nerd, a gamer, and an AI crafter. He started with a film degree, added an MBA, and went deep into AI — these days he's a project manager and department lead at a software company building medical AI solutions. He grew up in Lubbock, Texas, in a thoroughly medical family — doctor dad, nurse mom, a nurse practitioner sister and a dietitian sister — so he was fated for something medical, as long as it didn't involve touching people. He loves strategy games of every kind, 3D printing, Magic: The Gathering, Warhammer, sci-fi, books, and whatever hobby the ADHD serves up next.

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