It all began in June 2018, when they both moved to Austin for a tech sales job and became each other’s “first friend.” They quickly bonded over shared experiences as HBCU grads, Divine 9 members, and their love for long walks along Lady Bird Lake—walks that often ended with happy hours at Jackalope or tacos from the white food truck on Riverside (if you know, you know). Exploring Austin together laid the foundation for an amazing friendship that would soon grow into so much more.

In February 2019, Randall took the leap and asked Shanique to be his Valentine. A few months later, they realized their connection was deeper than friendship and made it official. From there, life became an adventure. They’ve traveled together, became self-proclaimed food critics, and even starred in a Netflix hit series (wild, right?). Through it all, their story has been filled with love, laughter, inside jokes, spontaneous rap battles, and a lot of unforgettable firsts.

On July 15, 2023, Randall proposed in a beautiful secret garden in Austin, followed by a surprise celebration with their family and friends. Now, they’re excited to continue building a life together—one full of love, happiness, peace, and success with friendship and faith at the center of it all.

Cheers to #GainingAGriffin!