We started texting and I realized he was someone special - fun and intelligent with eccentric interests like Soviet-era Russian propaganda. We went on a hike and our dogs got along very well, and we did too. Our first dates included hikes, bike rides, pottery, building side tables, game nights, and walks. As I got to know him, I found that he treated me with respect, made me laugh, was my biggest fan (he came to almost every one of my soccer games), and cared deeply for my feelings. I felt very comfortable around him, and he became my best friend. 

A year and a half later, he proposed on the last day of a beach trip to Cocoa Beach, Florida. Acting a little bit suspicious, he asked if I wanted to go on a night-time beach walk and I agreed. Behind the scenes, his brother Jay was building an arch on the beach. At the end of our walk, the arch was lit up with lights in the sand in the shape of a heart. Brennan got on one knee and asked me to marry him. 

I am so excited to marry my best friend. I'm excited to hear his history YouTube videos and Seinfeld episodes across the house, to play marathon video games with him, to cook spicy international dishes with him, and even to play Monopoly Deal with his friends and family as he destroys us with $24 million dollar rent. We make the best team and I couldn't have asked God for a better man.  

We’ve been dating for almost two years at the time of writing, and in that time we’ve had game nights, gym sessions, lots of trips, and very active summers. Our total trips over this time have included Florida (x3), Dallas, Washington D.C., Montana, Nashville, Memphis, Gatlinburg, Boston, Austria, Egypt, Slovakia, Mississippi, North Carolina, and more that I forget. The combinations of work trips, family visits, and vacations have made for some challenges as it’s hard for an introvert like me to feel rested while constantly moving around, but we’ve since learned how to sustainably balance. It has been a blessing to be able to experience all this in such a short time.

We are blessed to have wonderful family and friends who share our interests and values. You who are reading this have been there to support us and experience life with us and we are grateful for you! Lauren has introduced me to some of the most wholesome family and friends that one could experience (my family and friends are great too, don’t feel left out), and it’s been humbling to be accepted and welcomed so generously. We’re excited about our future and look forward to the many awesome experiences that await this next chapter of our lives! Challenges will come too, but this is one of those upbeat monologues, so we are going to omit that. Gratitude is in order as I reflect on the fact that I have always been a lucky guy; my relationship with Lauren has topped the chart as my luckiest break yet! Looking forward to seeing everyone and hope all is very well!