We originally met at the Pride festival in Austin before going on our first official date a couple days later at a local miniature golf course and local ice cream shop! We had a very Austin first week together! At the time, Justin was performing in a community theater production of Annie and was very busy, so we took advantage of every moment we could snag. And Phillip came to see Annie 4 times — in the Austin summer heat! It was clear he was interested & that we had found something special!

When the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Marriage Equality in June 2015, we became be the 31st couple married that day in Austin! It was powerful being there surrounded by so many couples — some who had been together for DECADES and had their grown children with them. Each time a couple got their number called the room erupted into applause. It was a day we will never forget. Later that year, we had our bigger wedding with friends and family, where we surprised our guests with a lip sync battle!

We absolutely love hosting gatherings in our home but our yard is in need of major TLC, so we’d finally tackle landscaping to extend our celebrations outside! And then we’d host our friends and family to a 10-year wedding anniversary bash in our back yard, where we’d have karaoke, a fire pit for s’mores and possibly a lip sync battle redux! Phillip has been practicing for a decade just in case he got an opportunity to avenge his loss from the wedding day! We’d also donate to The Trevor Project!