Kenz and Ethan met way back in 2003 at Ingleside Middle School. Ethan was bald from chemo, and Kenz was largely friendless due to severe obsessions with cats and geography.

A decade later, Kenz and Ethan went on their first date after both graduating college. Ethan was no longer bald, but Kenz was-- and still is-- not too different from the geography-minded ailurophile she once was. After dating for 4 years and moving to NYC together, Ethan crafted a surprise proposal on 10/7/2017 with the help of a flock of friends and family. An elevator took Kenz down from her 20th floor apartment, stopping every few floors to open on a new group of friends acting out one of the couple's favorite dates or memories. Ethan was waiting at the bottom.

Eager to start this marriage on gender-neutral and mutually affectionate footing, Kenz surprised Ethan too. After reaching out to one of Ethan's favorite musicians, Kenz hopped up onstage at a concert and surprised Ethan with his own engagement ring resting in a tiny, homemade X-Files diorama.

Kenz graduated law school & passed the Bar this year, and has started a job as a NY Supreme Court Law Clerk. Ethan is working on a PhD in Biomedical Engineering at Columbia. They're now living in Brooklyn, NY. Both are keeping their last names, and after the wedding will still go by Ethan Bendau and Mackenzie Brennan. The new family will include their 3 rescued cats: Yak, Sleepy Jean, and Hammy.

Things to Do

Phoenix Zoo

Desert Botanical Garden

Old Town Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Arizona Science Center