Brendan and Claire met while working in outdoor education in the mountains of Southern California. Though they worked together, they did not hit it off until a staff trip to Joshua Tree National Park. Brendan was supposed to be riding in a car with a mutual friend and a few others. On the way to pick Brendan up, this friend was in a small car accident. Luckily, everyone was ok, but he called Claire to give everyone a ride instead. It was over this car ride and trip that Claire and Brendan bonded over sharing the aux cord and Coors Lights by the camp fire. A few years and a lot of adventures later, Brendan moved to Raleigh to join Claire while she was in graduate school at NC State (go Pack!). Brendan and Claire made Raleigh home and continued to enjoy life together. In September of 2023 Brendan proposed to Claire on a morning hike in Asheville, NC. She said yes and immediately asked Brendan to put the ring back in the box in case she fell on the hike back down (she didn't). We are excited to celebrate with all of our family and friends that helped us get here today!