What was it like meeting for the first time?

David: I wasn’t nervous to meet her face to face. It was the most excited I have EVER been to meet a date in person. I knew she had great style and taste, I just had to play it cool and not shoot a pint of blood out of my nose (there was plenty of time for that on the second date). We had set the date to meet for sushi at hip sushi bar downtown.

I felt like a night a with this smart, sweet, stylish woman would be a breeze, but choosing a sushi place was strategic. If we ever had a chance in hell, she would have to be cool with sushi. As we all know, NOT liking sushi is simply unacceptable behavior.....Luckily she tried everything I threw at her, she wasn’t afraid to try new things.

After dinner, I wanted to keep the night going with her, she was a good hang! We went across the street to a restaurant where my sister Kate was working, I wanted to show off my date. I just had that feeling in my bones that Bre Rodriguez would end up meeting my whole family at some point anyway, and now she’ll be a part of it!

Bre: I was looking forward to meeting him because even over our Tinder DMs, I could tell he was funny, sweet, and thoughtful (complimenting my sense of style from just my profile pics was a pro move). He chose sushi–I didn’t know it at the time but this was my first test (I passed)--and had me laughing from the get go. I was impressed with his hobbies, his conversation skills, and his sharp peacoat. When he wanted to keep the night going with a drink at Milk & Honey, it was an easy yes on my part. (I also met his sister Kate for the first time there that night!)

How have you changed after meeting them?

David: Nothing will get you to better yourself that a partner who wants to help you be your best. Bre has helped me channel my passions and interest by pulling my heads out of the clouds. Bre has guided me towards life as a more vulnerable and caring person. I dress better after meeting her, I cook better, I navigate life with ease…having a powerful, organized woman in my life has made me channel my scattered energy into doing things the right way the first time.

It cannot be understated how important her vast friend and family network has been in my life. Her family already feels like my own and her friends are incredible people themselves.

Bre has found a way to channel and focus me in ways I didn’t know I needed. I am forever grateful.

Bre: I know A LOT more about plants. Probably more than I ever needed to know, in fact. I also care a lot less about work, in the best way. Being withe David has chilled me out some, but more importantly it’s opened my eyes to the world around me. David has such a curious mind; he shows me things I’ve never noticed before and teaches me something new every day. I like to say that the Venn diagram of shared knowledge between us has almost zero overlap, and that makes every day so fun and exciting!

What was it like to first meet their family?

David: Scarier than meeting Bre for the first time for sure. Bre would warn me about how ruthless her family could be, ball breakers, no filter…very “Argentinian”.

Hot damn! I was relieved to show up and meet a bunch of real-life teddy bears. Her parents were so warm and welcoming, the first time we met after a few months of dating. I was so relieved on the drive home, I was grinning the whole way home.

Every new member of the family I meet has been cut from the same cloth, so special and wonderful from the moment you meet them…she was right about the “ball breaking” though.

Bre: I loved them instantly! They are ruthlessly sarcastic to each other, (which makes me feel right at home as a Rodriguez) and they genuinely all love being together. The first time I really hung out with the whole Hofberg crew was early Covid at the Mission rose garden for a casual picnic. Everyone welcomed me from day one and that kicked off the first of many rose garden and backyard get-togethers to come. They’re all hilarious, have amazing taste in food and design, and are so easy to like!

What going through your mind at the proposal?

David: (Oh F**K! Oh F**K! Oh F**K! Oh F**K!)

It was always the plan to marry Bre, but how do you do it in a way that’s special and captivating in the moment. I had the ring for several weeks at that point but I had no idea how I could pull it off in a way that would be special and surprising. When I finally asked her to marry me there was an IMMENSE instant sense of relief….that now both our parents, families and all of our friends can stop nudging me to do the right thing and LOCK IT DOWN.

It was the best moment of my life and I hope is was as special to you as it was to me.

Bre: Stunned. I was not shocked at the fact that he was proposing, because we’d been talking about wanting to get married for about a year at that point, but I in no universe thought that he would have been proposing that evening when we headed to Butterfly Beach in our sweats to catch the sunset after a long day with friends! I’m the planner in the couple, though, so any other way and I would have been on to him. My friends know how much I hate spoilers, so I’m glad it was a surprise! It was private and perfect, and so us.

What does your future look like with them?

David: I will have too many plants. I will keep insisting on watching movies and listening to music that came out before 2017. And Bre, the cats are taking my last name. End of Discussion.

Bre: Fun. Laughter. Delicious food. Childlike wonder about the world. A lot of plants. More cats. Probably a kid or two. Hopefully a lot more travel. I’m so excited about the life we’ve already started to build together and about the future we’re dreaming up! I know he’ll keep the fun going and be our visionary, while I keep us grounded and organized with the logistics and details.

What excites you the most about getting married?

David: It will be amazing, a team that is greater than the sum of its parts. It’s the start of a new life, the start of a new family. There is nowhere to go but up! Breanna Loren Rodriguez, I can't wait!

Bre: I’m excited about having a partner to live life alongside–whether it’s cooking dinner and binge-watching a show we can both agree on, meeting up with friends, getting out of town, or just strolling the streets of Santa Barbara. Over the past 5 years, we’ve merged with each others’ friends and families, and feel so lucky to have the most incredible people around us. I can’t wait to celebrate the start of our forever with each and every one of you! As for the wedding, I’m most excited for the dance floor.