Our Story

Becca went to Buffalo Wild Wings in College Park to celebrate a friend’s birthday. At the bar, she caught up with friends she met from working at Red Lobster. Garret also happened to be at Buffalo Wild Wings that night, celebrating the same birthday. He was feeling down about having recently lost his job at Looney’s, but his good friend Brandon was about to hook him up with a new job working at Red Lobster- the same Red Lobster Becca worked at. Becca was crushing long island iced teas at one end of the bar, while Garret talked endlessly with Brandon about football at the other end. Eventually, the two were casually introduced to each other by Brandon. Becca thought little of it (perhaps it was the long islands?) While Garret was intrigued. The night ended shortly after. Little did they know they would soon meet again…

Recently-single Becca was growing interested in Garret while working with him at Red Lobster. Garret eventually asked Becca on an official date. Neither had ever been on a real date before. Garret really wanted Becca to try sushi, so they planned to have their first date at Sakura Japanese Steakhouse. Garret was coming down with a cold and wasn’t feeling 100%, but he decided to go anyway (worth it!). At Sakura, Becca ordered a lemonade while Garret requested water. Becca’s immediate thought was this guy’s cheap… But it turns out he just really loves water. Garret ordered a sushi roll for Becca to try, which was almost too big to fit in Becca’s mouth. Becca felt like a fool trying to eat the sushi roll in front of Garret, but he thought it was cute. The two talked and ate and enjoyed the hibachi show. Becca remembers their first date being easy. She felt comfortable being herself around Garret. They ended the date with a sweet goodnight kiss, and would soon go on many more sushi dates!

Becca was living at her parent’s house while in her second year of teaching. Garret was also living at home while working at Redfin. The two had been dating for quite some time, and decided it was time to move in together. They agreed that Columbia was the perfect location. Becca and Garret began the search for their first home in April, 2018. They weren’t having any luck finding a house that met all of their criteria, so they paused their search for a little while and later planned a day to tour multiple houses. They were exhausted and feeling a bit defeated after touring the second house that day. They looked at one more house, which exceeded their expectations- perfect location, perfect size, and all the right updates (including a new roof and HVAC system, which Garret insisted on). They put in an offer and eagerly waited as logistics were worked out. Eventually, their offer was accepted- YAY! It only took forty-five days of documents and phone calls to finally seal the deal on August 14, 2018. Being homeowners and living together brought new challenges for Becca and Garret, but it also strengthened their relationship. Over the four years they’ve lived together, they’ve made some improvements on the house while making memories they will forever cherish in the house they now call home.

Garret said he had a “special date” planned that Saturday. He asked Becca to trust him and play along without questioning it. The first stop of the date was Buffalo Wild Wings; Becca was way overdressed! Garret ordered himself and Becca a Long Island Iced Tea, which she hadn’t had since she was twenty-one. They chatted as they sipped on their drinks, and once finished Garret led the way to the next stop of their date: Red Lobster for more drinks (sangria this time). Being at Red Lobster brought a feeling of nostalgia. They ordered their favorite dessert: cheesecake, and laughed at all the memories they made working there together years ago. After dessert, Garret took Becca to Koto Sake to get sushi. He reminded Becca of the first time she tried to eat sushi on their very first date. On their way home from dinner, Garret took a detour which brought them to Howard Community College, where they both attended. He talked about how they used to meet in between classes and sometimes drive together to school. Soon they were back at home--the most special part of the date. Garret reflected on the stops they made throughout the evening: First, the place they met (Buffalo Wild Wings), then the place they worked together (Red Lobster), then their first date (sushi). followed by the college they both attended (HCC). And finally, their first home together, which Garret referred to as “only the beginning” of the rest of their relationship. Before Garret could continue on about his wishes to further their relationship, Becca was already crying. Garret opened their front door rose-covered, candle-lit stairs, got down on one knee and asked Becca to marry him, to which she responded, “I will.” They made their way up the stairs to find friends ready to celebrate their engagement. And celebrate they DID!