Rebecca and Brian met on October 23, 2019, at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC after matching on a dating app. After closing down the museum, they made their way to a coffee shop across the street to continue talking. Rebecca had the classic pumpkin spice latte while Brian, who does not drink coffee (yes, I know he’s weird), got a hot chocolate. They bonded over their mutual connection to Ohio, their work in global health, and their love of running on the National Mall.

Many more dates went by and then the COVID shutdown came… Luckily, Rebecca and Brian got to spend lockdown together. Although they could not fulfil their dreams of traveling together right away, they were able to support each other and adventure locally during the pandemic. In April 2021 they got an apartment together on H street in DC, where they spent the next year celebrating holidays, birthdays, and the annual Cherry Blossom bloom. As restrictions let up, they were finally able to start their travels… They have explored: Baltimore, Philadelphia, Detroit, Los Angeles, Costa Rica, Colombia, Disneyworld/Universal Studios, Jordan, Egypt, Singapore, Bali, India, and Turkey.

On February 20, 2024 Brian asked Rebecca to marry him in front of Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy and, of course, she said yes. They are currently living together in Cincinnati, OH. They have many more adventures planned but are most excited for their journey to Columbus, Ohio to get married.