Bri & Ted's Excellent Ceremony!

New Orleans, 2019: Where It All Began Some love stories start with a swipe right. Ours started with a conference badge and a bar called the Bayou Beer Garden in New Orleans. We met at a conference, because nothing says romance like academic networking and drinks a quiet dive bar called, Sneaky Pete's. A mutual friend introduced us, and what started as casual conference small talk quickly turned into something more. Between sessions, we geeked out over teaching philosophies and research methods, and when the conference ended, we didn't stop talking. Instead, we published two papers together. Yes, we are nerds. Plot Twist: The Universe Had Other Plans A few months later, NYU expanded their entrepreneurship program, and Ted was a perfect fit. Suddenly, we were in the same city, NYC. After months of dating, we moved in together, found a cozy 700-square-foot apartment on the Upper West Side, and were ready to start our adventure. And then, the very week we moved in, COVID arrived. The Ultimate Relationship Test Eighteen months. Seven hundred square feet. A global pandemic. It was sink or swim, and we’re both really happy we chose to swim. Those months were strange and challenging, but also filled with unexpected joy. We mastered the art of staying out of each other’s way during Zoom calls, became experts at elaborate cooking projects, and took the same walks with Blue (our dog) around our neighborhood so many times we could navigate it blindfolded. Through it all, we didn’t just survive, we thrived. We laughed, supported each other through uncertainties, and built a life together one day at a time. Most importantly, we didn’t kill each other. Which feels like a solid foundation for a life together. New Horizons After exploring New York like tourists for years, we were ready for change. Career transitions brought us to Colorado, where we traded cramped Manhattan living for mountain views and wide-open spaces. We embraced a shared love for the outdoors that has become more central to our life. We camp whenever we can, finding peace under the stars, and adventure on the trails. Colorado gave us room to breathe and endless opportunities to explore. And Then There Were Four Much to our old dog Blue's chagrin, we welcomed Nala Beans into our lives in February of 2025. Sadly, we suddenly lost Blue in August of 2025 and we were adrift as we reconciled losing the rock who kept us sane during COVID, and was our bestest boy. But, Nala bounded in ready to heal our hearts. She brings joy, chaos, and unconditional love to our home. She’s our adventure buddy and our favorite hiking companion. We might have lost our boy, but our girl has taken up the reins Bluey left her. Here We Are From New Orleans to New York to the Colorado mountains, our journey has been anything but conventional. We’ve weathered a global crisis, career changes, cross-country moves, all the while expanding our desire to see the world whenever we can escape on a new adventure. We’ve learned we’re better together and we've built a strong team filled with laughter, patience, travel, and adventure. We also learned communication can get you through anything (even 18 months in 700 square feet). Now, we’re ready for the next adventure! We can’t wait to celebrate with all of you! Here’s to love, laughter, and happily ever after. And to Nala, the goodest girl.