Wheeler Park, Fall of 2013. Who knew this popular farmers market destination would serve as the backdrop for the incredible love story that is Annie McLaughlin and Austin Montfort. Fast forward to December of the same year, where this first meeting would soon become the beginning of forever.

As sophomores, Annie and Austin were navigating life, and coincidentally, the same period of Mrs. Block’s biology class. Austin’s class clown tendencies made every day enthralling, despite the frequency in which his antics resulted in detention; however, the only annoying aspect of his unapologetic charisma and unwavering confidence to Annie was that it often landed him in a separate classroom.

Their friendship quickly transcended into high school romance, which was all too obvious to their teacher at the time. As they were promptly isolated from each other in the seating chart, their connection only grew more intense. The two quickly became inseparable.

What formed as young infatuation swiftly bloomed into the deep level of companionship and adventure that we all have witnessed in their relationship over the years.

Upon graduating from Flagstaff High School, Annie and Austin did what any rational and madly in-love18 year-old couple would do: they moved out on their own. Their time in Phoenix was truly the first stage of life where they were left with nothing but each other, and their sweet french bulldog, Belle to lean on. Working less than ideal service industry schedules, living in a studio apartment the size of a large coat closet, and navigating financial responsibilities bonded them more than they ever could have imagined. Between Annie’s aura of serenity and rationality and Austin’s excitement for life, there was nothing that these two couldn’t rise above together.

After the learning curve that was their life in the valley, Annie and Austin began their most recent chapter in their hometown of Flagstaff. Between their meeting of Natalie and Brett, remodeling their home on Cedar Ave., and Annie achieving her dream of earning a degree in education from Northern Arizona University, they knew Flagstaff was their forever home. From this chapter on, they vowed to always choose each other through life’s adversities. Through intentionally surrounding themselves with supportive and loving people, their roommates Sarah and Darian entered their lives and quickly added to their world of joy. To follow what had already been a beautiful arch of their lives and after a decade of love, Austin proposed to Annie on Christmas morning in 2023. What became a new and exciting chapter also abruptly led to a time of mourning, when their sweet Belle passed away at 15 years old. Bridging their connection through hardship, Annie and Austin decided to add more love into their lives and half a year later they became dog parents once again to their beautiful pup Pluto.

After twelve years of learning and love, the future Montfort’s hope to continue building their lives and planting roots here in Flagstaff. Starting with their honeymoon later this year, Austin and Annie hope to face every day with a sense of spontaneity and a deep appreciation for each other. Their future plans include finding their forever home, growing a family, and continuing to learn more about each other every day. Most of all, they look forward to persisting through the agony that is Arizona sports together for many years to come.

Thank you for being a small part of Austin and Annie’s incredible story and for joining all of us as we shower them with love and support on June 20th, 2025. Cheers to the Montfort’s.

Written with all of the love and adoration in the world, Your Roommate, Darian

Photos

Over the years