It’s true what they say, you find love when you least expect it… which is exactly what happened to Brendan and Sara.

The two met, how any millennial would meet a significant other in 2019, via a dating app.

After one rescheduled date, $70 worth of appetizers and drinks, batting of eyelashes and smooth talking, the date multiplied into many follow up ones.

The two instantly realized how special the other person was. Sara, a quirky reporter, who was sure-footed (aka stubborn), craved adventure and measured the success of her day by laughter. Brendan, a volunteer firefighter and insurance agent that had lived in the area his whole life, whose top priorities were family and setting himself up for success, and whose guy’s guy exterior couldn’t hide his kind soul.

However, due to her job, Sara would be moving from Upstate New York to San Antonio, Texas, within six months.

Sara and Brendan agreed on few things: They wouldn’t seek a long-term relationship with each other, but instead would embrace the limited time they had together and part ways when Sara moved.

Without the pressures of dating or worrying about their relationship status, the two got to genuinely know one another -- choosing to spend more time together, despite knowing there was an end date.

Very quickly, Sara became a ray of sunshine in Brendan’s life, and he was a blessing in hers.

That summer Brendan showed Sara Upstate New York – giving her a look at his childhood, local restaurants, the best sunset and stargazing spots and even taking her to family gatherings. In return, Sara took Brendan on new adventures in the place he grew up – from daytrips, new bars to her own hidden gems that she found. She even took Brendan to Cape Cod to introduce him to her parents, with a the stipulation that they likely would never see him again.

Most nights were spent talking on Brendan’s balcony until the early morning hours – bonding, telling stories and listening to Bruce Springsteen’s newest album. The two agreed that no matter where they were in life, even if it was years later, when Springsteen toured again they would attend a concert together.

After packing up her car to move away, Sara stopped by Brendan’s apartment for their final goodbye. As they parted ways, Brendan gave Sara a photo album with pictures from everything they did together during those brief six months. The last page of the album read, “Love, Bren.”

A couple weeks after moving to Texas, Sara and Brendan came to their senses – knowing they had found a once-in-a-life kind of love and that it shouldn’t end simply because of states between them.

Over the next few years, the two would live together in Texas (for a month during the pandemic), Oregon and Louisiana. While they still don’t know where they want to end up, they have truly found that home is wherever they are together.

Nearly six years after their first date, one dog, two cats, three dead pet fish, a Bruce Springsteen concert, an entire pandemic, countless hikes, camping, flights, road trips, new hobbies, laughter, growth and one engagement, the two are setting out on their greatest adventure yet… marriage.

“We hope that our friends and family – who have each been such an important part of our story – can join us as we start this next incredible chapter. Meet you in Guatemala!” – Sara and Brendan.