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We met the modern way in San Diego in 2018 and went on a few dates that were… fine. The attraction was there, the timing wasn’t, and neither of us was fully vibing yet. Then early 2019 arrived and something clicked. A late-night drink turned into making it official, and a few weeks later we spent all of Coachella together. That weekend sealed it, and now we go every year. Date nights in those days often meant a splurge at Born and Raised, where we’d linger and daydream about what was next.

In April 2020, our family got its heart: Stout. She’d just had a litter, arrived in a diaper, and needed time to trust again. Soon she was howling to welcome us home, flashing those floppy ears, and gluing us together in the best way. Her name came from the rescue for her color and low-to-the-ground swagger. The beer part is just a running joke.

By September 2020 we packed up for San José. Garrett chasing the next step in his career, John already remote and ready for a new chapter. We moved in with Garrett’s parents while renovating the house his grandparents bought in the 1950s. During one walkthrough John cheerfully asked what “demo” meant and learned very quickly. We moved into our home in January 2021, and our favorite nook is the reading corner in our shared office that John designed.

The Bay gave us community. We joined a softball league, did great, then formed our own team with friends: the Cinnabuns. The name nods to Garrett hustling on proposals to land a Cinnabon sponsorship. Off the field, we’re either cooking at home or at BE.STEAK.A, plotting our next concert. Garrett is John’s number-one fan at DJ gigs, and John is Garrett’s in everything else.

Week to week we thrive in our routine. We both work in local government and take pride in public service. Evenings are for the gym, walks with Stout, and whatever series we’re binging. Weekends mean time with friends, and whenever we can, we travel back to Palm Springs and San Diego, quick trips to Mexico, or anywhere with good food and music.

The proposal was exactly what John hoped for because Garrett planned it that way: a semi-intimate moment followed by a celebration with loved ones. Sunnylands was hosting an art exhibit we’ve visited for years, so Garrett enlisted Kayla and Mitchell to invite us on a “work retreat” and had our friend Christian hide to capture the moment at the right time. John was completely surprised, promptly blacked out the exact words, and said yes through happy tears. Drinks followed, where more friends were waiting to cheer with us.

At our core, we’re the same where it counts. We cherish time with family and friends and, most of all, with each other. We even share a wardrobe because we’re the same size, which is either efficient or dangerous depending on who you ask. We balance each other too. Garrett brings the spontaneity and adventure, John brings the steadiness and plan. Moving to a new city during a pandemic tested us, but we built a home and a community together and came out stronger.

Both of our families embraced us from the start, months under one roof forged new bonds, and trips back and forth are filled with loud kitchens, long talks, and a lot of love.

We hope this leaves you feeling excited, joyful, and understood. We can’t wait to celebrate our love for each other with the people we love the most.