Bret and Natalie met “the old-fashioned” way — on a dating app. Bret thought Natalie’s profile was perfect for him with a smile that drew him in. Natalie was excited to meet this handsome 6’2” guy whose Dad-joke audio made her laugh out loud. We met at Avanti (which we later learned means “onward” in Italian). It felt fitting. We were both ready to move forward after years of being single. It was also three weeks after Natalie’s dad had passed, and his passing inspired her to date again with more openness, joy, and faith. At dinner, Bret ordered chicken shawarma and falafel — unknowingly Natalie’s dad’s two favorite foods. She felt it as a little wink from her dad in heaven: he’s a keeper! By our second date, the sparks were flying — laughing nonstop, nerding out over astrology and numerology, and celebrating Natalie’s certification as an Ayurvedic Health Practitioner. And a first kiss we'll never forget! Four months in, we traveled to Maui and Kauai for our first vacation together. Ten incredible days sealed the deal after sharing that kind of adventure and never wanting it to end. At seven months, Bret dove into the deep end — meeting Natalie’s entire family on a weeklong beach vacation. He swam beautifully, fitting right in, and enjoying a wonderful time together. Three months later, Bret invited Natalie to move into his home in Lafayette. From day one, he called it “our home,” and it has felt that way ever since. Last November, Bret planned a birthday trip to Sedona for Natalie — what she didn’t know was that he had also planned a surprise proposal the night before her birthday. As we watched the sun set over the red rock mountains, he proposed, and Natalie said YES! We love being in nature together — hiking, paddleboarding, pickleball — cooking most of our meals at home, wandering farmers’ markets, dancing, going to concerts and comedy shows, hosting dinner parties, and spending time with Bret’s family nearby and Natalie’s family in North Carolina. Bret quickly took an interest in Ayurveda, the ancient health system that transformed Natalie’s life and became her soul’s calling. It has since become a foundational part of how we live and nurture a healthy, loving relationship together. Above all, it’s our shared spirituality and commitment to being our most authentic, loving selves that makes our relationship as deep, expansive, and joyful as it is. Before Natalie’s dad passed, he shared this wisdom: “Relationships are like seeds. You must continue to water and nurture them so they can grow.” It's our greatest joy to nurture these seeds daily, and we’re excited to continue growing a beautiful garden together as husband and wife. We are so grateful for our families, friends, and mentors who have supported and celebrated us along the way — and we cannot wait to celebrate our love with you!