What started as a fascination about the structural integrity of mud huts and various discussions on the most threatening aspects of rusty silverware, quickly led to a first date between an ambitious law student and an outgoing radiation therapist. Britt and Brian met up for the first time at what was supposed to be a fun Chicago restaurant. It started with a goofy, awkward guy not knowing how to look cool sitting in decorative chairs and a girl who had zero filter and asked every question in the book. Next? Instant attraction, obviously. The two ended up aimlessly wandering the city for hours talking about anything and everything. This led to a second date with Britt agreeing to brave the high seas of the Chicago River. With nautical navigation being her strong suit as well as a love for saying yes to things that terrify her, (aka aimlessly kayaking and narrowly avoiding getting hit by large boats) sparks began to fly. What followed was a Chicago summer full of BBQ, picnics, movies in the park, zoo excursions, Britt not letting Brian live down getting pooped on by a bird, hours upon hours of aimless wandering, non-stop ripping on each other, constant laughter and joking, and even a night of crashing the Shedd Aquarium’s Jazz Night with painted faces (because Britt was bummed she couldn't get her face painted at the zoo). It was clear to Britt and Brian that they each found their P.I.C. (partner in crime) who was willing to go on any adventure, no matter how ridiculous.

In the summer of 2018, Britt, Brian and Tasha (Britt’s sister) had made plans to go on a European adventure. What was billed as a week and a half of wine, cheese and road tripping through northern France was really a top secret mission to wife up Britt (5 years in the making). Brian had been planning on proposing to Britt at one of the castles in the Loire Valley, and had spent weeks meticulously researching the best castle to do it (undiagnosed OCD? or just a Markert...). Luckily for Brian, Tasha had been ready at hand to help coordinate (aka tell him what NOT to do) and offer wild ideas such as: be serious for once. All that neurotic planning to find the perfect castle/proposal site? Gone in an instant because of the infamous Bermudez lack of impulse control. This 'perfect place' to propose was thrown by the wayside the moment the Bermudez sisters got a recommendation from a random Frenchman of a different castle they should check out (not the meticulously planned castle). Words of advice: Never doubt random Frenchmen. The change in plans couldn't have been any better; an overlook at the infamous gardens of Chateau de Villandry could not have been a better setting. With Tasha off in hiding with champagne and her camera, Britt dove into a storybook Brian gave her of their 5 years together. As if waiting for perfect comedic timing, an old Italian man interrupted to ask Brian (in Italian) if he could take a picture of him and his wife. 'NO!' is the same in Italian, right? On the last page of the book was a picture from Britt and Brian’s second Halloween together - they had dressed up as Gertie and Harold, an old married couple—and the phrase “Will you grow old with me?’. As Britt turned around to look at Brian, tears in her eyes, he was down on one knee with a ring. An emphatic 'YES' could not have come out quick enough; just another step in the Markmudez adventure.