Emily was living in Lawrence, KS and Brandon was living in Tulsa, OK, so how did they meet? They met like most people do these days...online. Brandon often traveled to the Kansas City area for work, so when he did, he matched Emily on Bumble. This particular app required the lady to speak first. So of course, Emily reached out. Emily noticed that he was outdoorsy, liked to travel, boat, and sports. In almost every picture he was surrounded by friends and displaying his love for his Alma Mater, Oklahoma State. She opened conversation noting some of the commonalities that her and Brandon shared, then wrapped it up with what could end the relationship before it even started "don't hold it against me that I'm a Sooner fan". Thankfully Brandon went against his usual avoidance of anyone in crimson and cream and responded.

After corresponding for a few weeks, Brandon asked her to go to dinner with him the next time he was in town for work. Emily quickly agreed. Their first date was held at Merchants Pub & Plate in Lawrence, KS. The two of them had a great meal and great conversation. So much so, that they didn't want the date to end. They proceeded to walk down Mass St. to a local tavern, The Red Lion. The talking and laughter continued the rest of the evening until Brandon walked Emily back to her car. He was leaving town the next day for work, and secretly neither of them wanted that to happen. Before Emily could make it home, Brandon had text asking if he extended his trip another day, if she would go out with him the following day. Without a second thought she said yes!

When Emily got home, she couldn't wipe the smile off her face and was so excited to be able to see him again the next day. What she had forgotten was is that she had dinner plans with her girlfriends the following evening. She apologized to them, but had to cancel because she was able to see Brandon again. Emily picked up Brandon from the hotel and they discussed where to grab food. They settled on going to Limestone Pizza. The two sat at the bar and shared a bottle of wine and some pizza. Once again enjoying eachothers company and getting to know each other better. Towards the end of their date, Emily received a text message from, Jayme, one of the girls she was supposed to have dinner with. She asked Brandon if he would mind if she responded, because she didn't want to be rude. Once Emily responded, Jayme promptly said, "I love you, now put down your phone." Emily immediately realized her and Brandon were not alone. In a booth at the back of the same restaurant sat the group of Emily's friends whom she was supposed to have had dinner with that night. They had been there the whole time and were witness to the entire second date. So, Brandon was quickly thrown into the mix of meeting her friends.

After two great nights, Brandon actually did have to leave for work. He went to work in St. Louis for the next few days, but planned to make and alteration to his route home. He asked Emily if she would go out with him again if he stopped in Lawrence before heading home to Tulsa. Of course! Well, before leaving home for the trip, Brandon did not know, or pack, for extra days away from home. So before he left St. Louis, he needed to go shopping. He showed up that night to the date looking great in a new shirt. Emily had no idea of his stop and complimented his shirt, but kept wondering why he was tugging and fussing with it. He then confessed that he had bought it that day and was unsure of how it fit. Emily said it looked great, and being the nosey person she is, asked where he got it. He said he had stopped at Duluth Trading Company before coming back to Lawrence. That sparked a conversation between the two of them because her Dad (Kent) worked at Duluth. So of course, Emily brought that up. "I wonder if he was working yesterday?", she said. "Did you talk to anyone who worked there?". "Not really", he said. "I did talk to the guy who checked me out because he was wearing an OU pin on his shirt. So of course I had to say something to him. He told me about how his son was a grad student at OU." Emily's eyes got wide and pulled out her phone. She showed him a picture and asked..."Was this the guy?" Brandon nodded and got a strange look on his face. "Well, you met my Dad!"