Caris version- This is long so the short version: we met at run club 🩵

how we met: Where to start…. I (cari) moved to Kingsport & started running again late 2020. I first joined gypsy circus run club in September-ish. Running became my favorite pastime- thinking i am a nutcase running roughly 18 miles per week(hint- this is nothing compared to what brett runs). Now, there is a pipeline from one run club to the next. Enter: fleetfeet run club (meets at bays mountain brewery on tuesdays).

I specifically remember my first meeting with Brett. It was the night before the downtown mile, june something 2021- i remember this because it was a topic of conversation. He stayed and chatted with Kelly, Chad, Donald Leech & I almost until closing one tuesday.. After we were walking out Kelly said something like “what about brett? He is so sweet” after watching me whine and gripe about dating men. i said “he looks like a little baby- he may be 19”. We ran around each other for the next year and a half-ish.

Fast forward again to September-ish of 2022 when Brett came to Gypsy run club one Wednesday- thanks to annie for inviting him. We talked in the parking lot til midnight that night, then talked the next day. And the next. And never stopped. Then Brett literally invited me to meet his parents THAT WEEKEND. to a tailgate. With his parents?! I dont remember what i said but it was something to the effect of ‘you are insane.’

He was so kind from the very beginning. And i had absolutely no clue what to do with a man who was kind- he would open my car door & i would sass “i can do it myself” or “why are you doing that?” Slowly i learned how to let him be kind to me. We run together, cook together, he picked up birding (better than me now), & we go hiking, camping & basically all outdoor activities.

Photos