It’s the summer of 2019 and I’m totally losing patience with today’s dating game. It’s a frustratingly weird feeling when everyone around you is moving on and happy, and you are approaching 30 feeling lost, struggling to find any kind of connection. I wasn’t going out to bars to meet someone, so I helplessly turned to online dating. I found myself on a handful of dating apps. I stumbled or should I say "Bumbled" upon Brandon in June of 2019.

On this particular dating app, Bumble, girls make the first move to send the guys a first message. Brandon and I “matched” each other because we were within a 60 mile radius of each other. I should tell you (at that moment) we were 60 miles apart. We talked a lot for the first couple of days into the weekend. However, Monday of that week, I noticed Brandon's location said Carney, Maryland. I remember thinking “Is he traveling or out of town for work?” I asked him about it and to my surprise, I learned Brandon was home visiting his family in Pittsburgh, however he actually lived in Baltimore, MD.

Like I said, Brandon and I had such good, easy conversation, so we continued to talk. He would mention to me when he planned to come home next, but I wasn’t sure if I was ready to connect with someone who wasn’t even in the same state as me. So, I would make up an excuse to to put him off. Brandon was consistent though. He would ask me out a lot and I would always say no. Brandon eventually grew tired of the rejection, and he moved on.

About a month went by and I started to talk to another local, more convenient, Pittsburgh match I made on Bumble. It was the week of my birthday and I went out with this guy named Brett. I have to tell you this was the worst date of my life. Absolutely shameful. We talked about the weather (literally the only piece of the conversation that I remember), awkward silence, little eye contact, rudely texting, and he even asked for separate bills. This was such a wake up call. I ended up messaging Brandon that same night to reunite with him and to honestly tell him what I had experienced. I can remember Brandon responding “You should have just gone out with me. I promise that wouldn’t of happened.”

That Friday, the day before my 28th birthday, we met as Brandon passed through. He was home for his mother Arlene's birthday, which, ironically, is the same day as my birthday. We went to Plaza Azteca, a Mexican restaurant in Robinson, PA. Brandon asked if we could meet in Cranberry, as he was traveling to Conneaut Lake, PA for the long Labor Day weekend. But, as I always had, I made him work hard for the date and he came to meet me in Robinson. We had Chimichangas and Margaritas. The date was great! We were about to leave, so I ran to the restroom. When I came back to the table, Brandon was sitting there smiling. Soon enough, the waitresses came around the corner clapping with a lit piece of birthday cake. I remember thinking “Oh my gosh, are you kidding me? It’s just the first date.” I was so impressed.

Brandon continued to come into town, where I’d see him. A few dates to mention were the drive-in, local restaurants, Kennywood, etc. It wasn’t until October, that I mustered the courage to drive myself to Baltimore! Yuck, like five hours! Brandon surprised me by making stuffed shells and even went out to buy a bottle of wine to pair. We went to the pumpkin patch and as the weekend concluded, he asked me if I wanted to be his girlfriend. Of course, I said yes!

We continued to go back and forth as we went into the winter season. I hated the idea of driving five hours during the winter, so I would jump on these little planes when I would go see Brandon. And when I say little planes, I mean these cheap six seaters! Let me tell you these planes were scary, but I wanted to see him, so it didn’t stop me.

In March of 2020, I was visiting Brandon because he had bought me tickets to see Dan and Shay, a Country group, in Virginia! Covid-19 just started to become serious and the day of the concert, the concert was cancelled. It was Sunday night and I was dreading the drive home. I got on the road back to Pittsburgh. 30 minutes into my drive, one of my coworkers at PNC had called and said we were to start working remote on Monday (tomorrow)! I weighed my option and quickly decided to turn around and go back to Brandon's apartment. (I must tell you I didn’t tell him I was coming back) I arrived back to Carney, MD, drug my suitcase back up the 3 floors to apartment 301, and knocked on the door. Brandon opened the door, confused as can be. “Honey I’m home!”

Would you believe I’ve been here ever since? I never lived away anywhere before! I had a lot to learn.. cooking, cleaning, laundry. I proudly do it all now.

Continuing to November 2020, Brandon returns home from a business trip, sick. Long story short, we waited 8 hours to be tested for COVID-19. Brandon tested positive and I tested negative. The week of Thanksgiving. We could not believe it. The two of us made the best of what we had and had Thanksgiving dinner, table for two, here sick in Baltimore. We learned a lot about each other in our one bedroom, one bathroom apartment.

We do not really know anyone here, other than Brandon’s few co-workers. We try to go to the little church up the street as many Sundays as we can. Also, on football Sundays, we fearlessly go to Baltimore Ravens bars to cheer on our beloved Steelers. We always try to surprise each other (trust me he’s way sweeter and better at surprises than me). Brandon and I are always on the go traveling somewhere. But, we also love our lazy weekends at home. We miss our family and friends dearly back in Steelers nation, but love the little life we have created here together. We rely on each other and I think that is what makes us the best of friends.

Let’s fast forward to the more current and exciting of events: September 2021. Brandon and I met Brandon’s family (his parents, brothers, their significant others, and the Trombola family) down in Ocean City, Maryland to enjoy a long weekend at the beach! Brandon and I arrived first to pick up the key to the Airbnb. Brandon said “pick whichever room you want”. We picked one with a nice view of the water! Everyone arrived and we were unloading, but I was quickly rushed away and told “go help the girls upstairs unpack”. I remember saying “I can help, my legs aren’t broken.” But I digressed and went upstairs to help the ladies unpack.

All of us were in a big group text message. Earlier in the week, Brandon’s Aunt Tammy responded in the group with plans for us to go to a nice dinner, on the bay, for that Friday evening. Brandon helped me pick a nice dress. I remember Brandon telling me “wear the white one, white is “beachy”. Looking back after the fact, I wonder why I didn’t catch that?! After a day at the beach, Brandon rushed me into the bathroom telling me “go, you go shower first while the bathroom is open”. I went in and was all ready to go. I came downstairs all dressed to everyone hanging out and watching a movie on tv. Frustrated, I went upstairs and changed. Ten minutes later, Arlene came upstairs like “Are you feeling okay? Why aren’t you ready? Everyone left already!” I remember being panicked and hurried to get re-dressed.

I get downstairs and it was just Brandon, Adam, Marin, Matt and Wyatt. Adam asked me “Brittany do you want a roadie?” As we were about to head to the restaurant. Adam gave Brandon and I a White Claw and said “we’re going to go take a walk on the beach towards the restaurant”. We get outside and I’m throwing a bratty fit. “It’s windy, I just showered, I’m going to get all sandy. It’s about to rain!” Everyone insisted we take the beach path. We were walking on the beach and I was indeed getting all sandy. My hair was blowing everywhere and I really couldn’t see.

After walking on the beach for a few blocks, Brandon walked towards a garbage can to throw his White Claw can away and I followed him. His brothers and their significant others unnoticeably stayed back. I remember hearing a lady nearby on the beach screaming say “oh my gosh, look what’s happening!!“ Confused, I look over to Brandon, who was on the ground, with an opened velvet box in his hand. Oh, my goodness, was I so unprepared for how I would react. Excitingly, I said yes! I ugly cried and my makeup was everywhere.

Eventually, we continued onto the restaurant for our dinner plans. I asked Brandon “do my parents know?” And he said “We will call them once we get inside.” What do you know? As soon as we walked through the front entrance of Macky’s Bayside Grill, there are my parents just causally standing amongst everyone in the crowd. Total surprise! As you can probably expect, my sappy pipe sprung a leak again and I was really ugly crying now. We had a beautiful, conjoined family dinner on Ocean City’s bayside.

The surprises didn’t end there! We went back to the house and our family had another surprise.. an engagement party for us! The rest of the weekend was spent relaxing on the beach with both of our families!