Flashback, circa winter of 2016. Kaitlyn was treating herself to a solo date at her favorite indian restaurant, meanwhile Brennan's buddies (looking at you, David) had encouraged him to enter the 21st century and give the apps a try. After sitting down at Masala, downloading her first ever dating app (the one and only Bumble), ordering dinner, setting up a profile, taking a bite, and starting to swipe - it was sometime towards the end of dinner and just before an end of meal chai, that they matched and started their flirty banter.

Jump cut to a blustery Iowa City winter's eve after a week of chatting through Bumble. They land on Basta, a great Italian restaurant downtown. Kaitlyn walked in to Brennan casually reading Hamlet (he already had her number with that). Conversation flowed and the evening organically unfolded, beckoning them to continue the date and bop over to Clinton Street Social Club, a 1940's style speakeasy jazz club. Sipping on cocktails and playing billiards, Brennan skillfully won their first match up. Not wanting the evening to end, Kaitlyn called for a rematch.

After a year and a half of dating, the easy decision was made to move in together. They found an adorable bright blue house (seriously bright, evidence in the gallery) across town and made it their own for two adventure filled years. As life unfolded, dreams and desires continued to take shape, and it became clear that it was time for a change of pace and environment. Kaitlyn was accepted into NYU to pursue her MFA in film and Brennan was accepted into Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine for a post-baccalaureate towards his medical school journey. Come summer of 2019, she quit her job in the marketing department of the hospital and he said goodbye to his research job and volunteering. Flash forward to fall of 2022, after 6 years of life together they decided to buy some rings and wear them around. Brennan surprised Kaitlyn with a trip north to a beautiful state park, ring in pocket, and Kaitlyn surprised Brennan with a ring in her pocket to give in return. They proposed to one another, ushering in a new era. Welcome to their next chapter :)