Dating at this age is hard. Online dating, especially during a pandemic, is particularly hard. Perhaps it was Tori’s smile or eyes, or her personal and professional accomplishments that first attracted Brent to her on a dating app the day after Halloween 2020. But what really caught his eye was that she had posted a brief video demonstrating a quick and complicated baton twirling move for one of her students. Brent couldn’t help wondering how dangerous she would be if she just swapped that baton out for a pair of nunchucks. Swipe right! She swiped right! It’s a match! Game on!

He, a former Marine Corps Officer and current Financial Advisor looking toward San Antonio for someone who wasn’t so “Austin,” and didn’t like dudes in skinny jeans. She, a former Collegiate Feature Twirler and current Attorney in San Antonio looking toward Austin for someone who wasn’t so “San Antonio,” and who was taller than she and could be the Big Spoon. His nickname was “Chatter,” and her alpha personality and profession meant she could keep up with the sheer volume of conversation he provided. Sparks!

So then started the Adventures of Tori and Brent.

November 2nd, 2020, during their initial texting conversation and after learning a bit about Tori, Brent joked “Marry Me!” And here we are.

November 7th, 2020, Tori drives to Austin to meet Brent face to face after a week of non-stop texting and talking. Brent took Tori to dinner, then drove her by the house he was planning to buy, wondering if she would be a part of that home at some point. And here we are.

Thanksgiving 2020, Tori helps Brent move into the new house.

Christmas 2020, Tori helps host Brent’s Mother and Stepfather in Austin. It’s really getting serious now.

February 2021, Brent and Tori are stuck in Austin for a week during the deep freeze with no water and little food. They take turns collecting snow from outside to melt on the stove. He bakes the perfect Snickerdoodle cookie. When she saw his Michigan snow driving skills, she was smitten.

March 2021, Brent and Tori go to Disney with Tori’s parents. This is where Brent was first certain that he was falling in love with Tori. Aside from that, the new Star Wars ride was worth the wait, M&M World will change your life, and just prior to March Madness, Brent’s beloved Michigan was ranked above Tori’s beloved Baylor for 1 week’s poll. We capture it in a photo to commemorate the rankings. Michigan was clearly on their way to winning the NCAA Tournament and a National Title for the first time since 1989. Go Blue!!

April 2021, Baylor wins the NCAA Men's Basketball National Title. Sic’em Bears!!

May 2021, Tori helps host Brent’s Father in Austin. Brent and Tori exchange “I love you” for the first time.

July 4th, 2021, Brent brings Tori to Michigan. He shows her UofM’s campus, they eat at Zingerman’s Deli, he feeds her Louie’s Donuts from Marshall, and takes her fishing on Lee Lake. She catches her first fish ever (bluegill), and enjoys her first ever lake-to-table fish dinner.

Saturday, July 31st, 2021 at 10:30pm, the septic system in the house ruptures in the downstairs bathroom, spreading sewage across the entire front end of the house. It was a calamity of epic proportions. But instead of screaming and running out of the house, Tori put on a pair of Brent’s flip-flops and helped control the disaster. “Brent, when did you know that she was The One?” It came late that fateful night when Tori stopped shop-vacc'ing for a moment, examined the floor, and said “So how about we give corn a break for a while?” She’s definitely The One. And here we are.

August 2021, Brent and Tori travel to Montana to visit Christian and Jennifer Oliver. Brent shares with her the beauty of Big Sky, Montana, and it left enough of an impression to plan a wedding there. Tori also accepts her new job at Valero, and Brent accepts his new job at Raymond James. They make major transitions together.

Thanksgiving 2021, Brent asks Tori’s parents for permission to propose to Tori. They consent.

Christmas Eve 2021, Brent proposes in front of his Mother and Tori’s parents and grandfather.

And here we are.