MTV's 'Are You the One?' star couple ditches reality TV for Austin fairy tale

When joining the first season of MTV's "Are You the One?" Austin residents Amber Lee and Ethan Diamond had no idea what their love story had in store for the world.

The reality matchmaking show premiered in January 2014, following 20 young men and women in hopes of winning a cash prize and a perfect love match. The show predetermines 10 perfect pairs through a matchmaking algorithm, but it is up to the contestants to figure out their secret other half. While isolated together, the contestants have 10 rounds to determine the pairs. If guessed correctly, the entire group shares a $1 million prize.

Amber and Ethan during Season 1 Episode 2 of "Are You the One?" (MTV's "Are You the One?"/Netflix)

Out of eight seasons of "Are You the One?," only nine couples have stayed together and Amber and Ethan remain the only match from Season 1, filmed seven years ago in Hawaii, that have stuck it through.

The MTV stars have since shifted to a simplier way of life in Austin with their two daughters.

Before the transformative experience, Amber and Ethan were just two young college students. Ethan, who is originally from Denver, Colorado, studied natural resource tourism. Amber, who was just another local Austinite, was attending Texas State University in San Marcos, enjoying her weekends on Sixth Street.

As the pilot season, producers reached out to cast members in various ways with the questions: "Are you single? Are you looking for love? Do you want to win some money?"

In an interview with Austonia Amber said, "I never thought I was going to get cast and honestly we didn't know anything about it. I rode it through to see how far I could get and then I met my husband."

Amber secretly visiting Ethan in Colorado before the airing of MTV'S "Are You the One?" (Amber Lee Diamond)

Inside the crowded house in Hawaii, Amber and Ethan's relationship grew throughout the season. When asked if they had any idea that this would be their lives seven years ago, Ethan said, "No way! Watching the show, did you? Did you think we would be together?"

Shortly after the show ended, Amber and Ethan continued their college education while Amber was pregnant with their first child, Scarlett. Per Amber's request, Ethan relocated to Austin where they have lived with Scarlett and their youngest daughter Serena since 2014.

Amber, Serena, Ethan and Scarlett Diamond. (Amber Lee Diamond)

"(Austin) is the best city in the whole freaking world," Amber said. "I love Colorado, but it's too cold and they don't have an H-E-B."

Now a true local, Ethan has spent the last seven years adjusting to the Austin lifestyle. The two say they don't plan on leaving any time soon.

In the past year, their family has spent the past year at home, avoiding large crowds and leaving the house. Ethan, who is a sales director at Oracle, has been working from home and enjoying the time spent with family.

Ethan, Amber and their youngest daughter, Serena during an interview with Austonia. (Isabella Lopes/Austonia)

"The one year you spent in quarantine with your significant other is like four years. I feel like we did that when we met each other; we were quarantined in that house," Ethan said. "And now, quarantine is happening and this feels familiar, for a lack of better term."

Amber and Ethan are often recognized by strangers around town for their brief stardom from cashiers at H-E-B to receiving messages on social media about relationship advice. The couple says they try to be as transparent as possible.

"We don't work because we are the perfect match," Amber said. "We are not a fairy tale couple. We've had a hard time and we worked really hard to make it work. We are a hard-working, loving family and that's why we love Austin, it's perfect here."

The Diamond family enjoying snowy Austin. (Amber Lee Diamond)

MTV's "Are You the One?" season one is available to stream on Netflix where you can watch the beginning of Amber and Ethan's love story.