The year was 2011, and Brendan, a dashing young bachelor, had just moved to Santa Cruz with his Best Man, Matt. The two Bay Area boys rented an apartment in the same complex as Caitlin’s childhood best friend, Alex. Brendan and his crew befriended Alex and hers, and a “friend family” developed. Caitlin, however, was away at college, grad school, and traveling abroad between 2010-2017, so she only met Brendan a handful of times during summers and holiday breaks. Brendan stands by his claim that he hit on Caitlin multiple times during these encounters, “sliding into her DMs” as the kids say these days and inviting her to parties when she was in town. Caitlin was oblivious to this effort, though she always knew what a great guy he was. As fate would have it, when Caitlin moved back to Santa Cruz in 2017, the two crossed paths again – this time on a dating app. When Caitlin realized Brendan hadn’t yet been swooped up by a friend or some other girl, she was intrigued. That “hey, I know you!” moment struck them both, and it was “beers at first swipe.” Their first date was at Beer Thirty on October 26th, a popular locale with craft beer and cornhole. Caitlin shared about her world travels and new job as an occupational therapist, while Brendan revealed his newfound dream to become a pilot. Their reunion felt comfortable, natural, fun…and it quickly blossomed into a relationship. They spent the rest of fall together enjoying Halloween, ice skating, and the lighted boat parade, where they made it “official” on December 2nd. By April they were in love, and they moved into their first home on 7th Avenue in July 2018. It’s been an adventure ever since, from spending a year in Utah for Brendan’s flight training, to moving back for new jobs and a new home in “Happy Meadow Trailer Park.” Their two fur babies, Cash and Moshi, have been with them each step of the way. Brendan and Caitlin can't wait to celebrate their upcoming marriage with their closest loved ones!