It was August of 2016, move-in weekend at UVA where thousands of first-year students begin a new and transformative chapter of their lives. Steph and Brendan were both walking back to dorms that Saturday night when Sean, a hallmate and new friend of Brendan’s, spotted and stopped a group of his high school friends to say hi. One of those friends was Steph, and the two groups left O’Hill field to hang out in Sean’s dorm room in Tuttle-Dunnington. The combined group of mostly Albemarle High School grads had some good laughs about their new lives in college, but the one Cox High School alum had to pack in early (something he rarely did the rest of college) because his parents had decided on attending the 9 AM Mass. As he held the door open for the rest of the group when they headed over to Old Dorms for some more fun and games, Brendan said bye to Steph, unaware of when the next time they would cross paths. At approximately 9:36 AM the following morning, they were shaking hands for the sign of the peace because, as fate would have it, Steph was sitting in the pew just in front of Brendan’s family.

By the end of September they were dating, with the first date taking place at Crozet Pizza on the Corner. Steph was born and raised in Charlottesville, and many of their early dates consisted of her borrowing her dad’s car to show Brendan all the great spots around town. Steph and Brendan made many friends through the Christian Fellowship group Intervarsity, including many people in the wedding party. Their love of UVA basketball was also forged first-year, with a promising recruiting class providing some exciting games for the Hoos that year. Eventually the two of them each became more involved with the University, with Brendan co-founding the SpongeBob Club, and Steph volunteering at the UVA Children’s Hospital. Steph chose a major in Biology, while Brendan picked Civil Engineering. Outside of school the two enjoyed hanging with each other’s housemates at the Octagon, the White House, the O’Keeffe house, the Slim Jim, and the Dad Pad. Brendan’s band Bofa started in 2017, and Steph has been their biggest groupie since day one.

Over their four years of college they grew together as individuals and as a couple, making many friends and memories along the way. While there certainly were some lows (the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament) and some highs (the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament) their love persisted through it all. As quarantine shut down their final months of Fourth-Year, Steph and Brendan were able to make the most of things and spend quality time together as they both stayed in Charlottesville. When Brendan’s job started up that summer, they knew their relationship would be tested with the distance between Virginia Beach and Charlottesville. But with the help of a work-from-wherever schedule and a Honda Accord, Brendan was able to visit Charlottesville frequently as they transitioned from college students to working adults.

The transition away from student life did not last long, as Steph was admitted to VCU’s Doctorate of Physical Therapy program in 2021. A move to Richmond cut some miles off the long distance, and eventually the couple was able to move in to an apartment together in the Museum District. Soon after, the question was popped (finally) and Steph said yes! After some time, plans came together for their marriage in the city where they met, and they couldn’t be more excited to share the day with their families and all the friends they’ve made along the way.