February 23, 2023

A classic love story of two friends at work becoming more. We had been coworkers for 2 years at Balto. In February 2023, we had our yearly work party, "The Thrasher." Tania came down from Chicago for two nights. The first night everyone went to UpDown where they played Queen Bee and DDR all night. The next night, we partied the night away in the City Museum. We drank, we danced, we climbed, and we found out we loved having fun together.

February, 2023 - May, 2023

After having the time of our lives at The Thrasher, we decided to give dating a shot. We would wake up at 5am on Fridays to drive 5 hours so we could spend the weekend together but still make our morning meeting at 10am. We would spend the weekend showing one another what we love about our cities, showing each other games we love, and introducing each other to the people we love.

May 6, 2023

"Wise men say 'Only fools rush in,' but I can't help falling in love with you."

Even though it had only been a few months, we knew that we needed more than weekends together. Tania in her wanderlust decided she wanted to leave Chicago. Instead of going to the paradise that's San Diego like she was planning, she came to St. Louis to rent a cute, quaint house in Kirkwood.

May, 2023 - March 2024

After moving in together, we start having even more fun together. We start cooking gourmet meals together, traveling, playing games, going to shows, and hosting friends and family. Most importantly, we prove not only can we have a ton of fun together, but we can be incredible partners.

March 28, 2024

After proving we can work, play, and live together, we decided it was time to stop paying rent and have a place to put down roots. After an exhaustive search, we found a house that was perfect!

April, 2024 - December, 2024

After buying our house, we keep the party going. We continue to travel, hike, go to concerts/shows, and host parties. We start yearly traditions of hosting our families for Thanksgiving and throwing the best Friendsgiving on both sides of the Mississippi.

December 12, 2024

After getting the blessing of Mike (Papa) and Sasha (Mama) Rascia, Austin takes Tania to go see Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo. After looking at the beautiful lights and visiting the penguins, Austin surprises Tania, proposing with a ring Tania designed. They spend the night celebrating their love at Anthonino's Taverna, sharing bottles of wine and clinking toasted raviolis.

December, 2024 - Present

We keep having fun, we keep traveling, we keep hosting parties, we keep playing games, and we start planning a wedding. Most importantly, we keep falling in love everyday. We also keep eating pizza.