Most people off the streets of San Marcos describe the small college town the same way: Peaceful and quiet.
The town’s main population -- Texas State University students -- wouldn’t say the same about the San Marcos Downtown Square. At least not at night.
"It’s comparable to 6th Street in Austin," said Lucy Herrera.
When asked if it's a place she might find love, the Texas State junior laughed.
"No," Herrera said. "I mean, definitely not love …"
But don’t tell Robbie and Rachel Rollins that.
High school classmates in Alaska, the two reconnected on Facebook and their love bloomed. He was in Florida. She was in San Marcos. Eventually, Robbie moved out to San Marcos to be with Rachel.
"I’m starting to get a Texas accent myself," said Robbie, smiling.
"He’s starting to say y’all," explained Rachel.
"I can call myself a San Martian now!" he added.
As the two reminisce about their love story, their intertwined hands never loosen from each other's. Robbie tells Rachel he'd be lost without her. Rachel giggles and tells him she knows. He's her hero.
They’re the couple you talk about when you find out the San Marcos Square has been named one of the most romantic downtowns in the nation, according to Curbed.com.
Take a walk around the Square, and aside from a heart-shaped neon sign on Valentino's Pizza, you might think the Rollins are in their own little world.
And in kissing alley, they are.
"It’s kind of a moment away from the open," said Rachel. "So people kind of make out in alleys (laughs). You know, like they used to, right?"
Where passersby see back doors to bars, brick that’s been through better days and paint that won’t last another Texas summer, the Rollins see streamers, chairs and a heart shaped wreath.
Just the way it was on their wedding day.
"This is it," said Robbie, walking up to the archway that serves as an exit to Black Rabbit Saloon. "This is where it happened."
They kissed. In kissing alley. As man and wife.
"Everything about it," Robbie remembers. "It's like, woah! That happened!" he chuckled.
"And I think some people, when we tell them we got married in an alley, they’re just like, 'What?'" laughed Rachel.
"They don’t understand it," Robbie interjected. "I like the fact that people call us 'alleyweds,'" he said.
The 10-foot wide concrete path -- just big enough to fit the occasional car -- will always be their special space.
"We own it. We own it!" shouted Robbie with infectious laughter.
Now that lights have been added though the passage, the alleyweds may find themselves with some company. And that’s just fine by them.
"Everyone was invited to our wedding," explained Rachel. "We hope the tradition continues. If anyone else were to get married here, we’ll crash that wedding!"
When asked if the area could be considered romantic, local photographer Kim Anderson pointed to Kissing Alley. "At night, yes."
"I need to find love on the Square," concluded Herrera.
You never know, it could be just around the corner. Or down the alley.