Like many newlyweds, Brett and Britney Malone have a lot in common. They love being with friends and family as much as possible, just enjoying all stages of life. Both their dads were Army Colonels who served their country proudly. They both love spicy food. They value exercise and a healthy lifestyle. They both love to talk.

 

They finish each other’s sentences and laugh before the punchlines of each other’s stories. Britney says, “In my wedding vows, I shared that everyone knows I am a talker. But I never in my wildest dreams thought I would meet a man who talked as much as me.” That sealed the deal.

 

They met on Bumble in April 2017. Their first date was on a Thursday. “We met at a restaurant at 7 pm and talked until 11:00. We didn’t want the date to end,” Britney shared. They met up the next day, too. And then Saturday, Britney’s best childhood friend and her husband were in town. “Brett wanted to meet again, so he asked if he could come over. I thought to myself, well this could either go really well or really poorly. I took the gamble and invited Brett to hang out with us. We had a fabulous night out in downtown Durham!” Brett says, “Meeting her friends was like meeting family and friends- it gave me a great idea of who she was as a person.”

 

Engaged in September 2019, they began planning a summer 2020 wedding. “Originally planning a Memorial weekend wedding, but because of Covid, we moved the date to Labor Day. Covid persisted, so we postponed the big weekend wedding until life became more normal and safer for family and friends to gather.” Postponing their big wedding celebration did not postpone getting married. On September 4th, 2020, with just Brett’s sister’s family and Brittney’s parents, they opted for a courthouse wedding in Durham.

 

Britney’s neighbors knew about the courthouse wedding plans and conspired to help create a lasting memory. “They threw a party for us in one of the neighborhood courtyards one evening, complete with individually boxed food, tables set up for family groups, and decorations. Everyone stayed and enjoyed the beautiful evening. People were ready to be out of the house and to have something to celebrate.” Brett adds, “There were also a few couples preparing to move away so the party doubled as a farewell for them.”

 

Finally, on July 4th weekend 2021, a brief window of time opened when Covid vaccines were available, people were able to get out of the house, and the big wedding was held in Charlotte. “We had a storybook wedding at the Bohemian Garden Marriott. Our friends and family arrived on Friday, the rehearsal was Saturday, and the wedding was Sunday. It was the first time many of Brett’s friends had visited North Carolina.  We were so glad to show them what NC had to offer.”

 

From Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Brett graduated LSU planning to attend Law School. “But I realized that was not really what I wanted.” A long-time soccer player and coach, Brett communicated with his former coach. “He invited me to be his Recreation Director at the Baton Rouge Soccer Club.” Later, his boss took a position in Raleigh with NCFC, previously CASL, one of the top-rated youth soccer clubs in the US. Brett was hired as the Recreational Program Director and coach in Raleigh.

 

That was in 2014, about the time Britney moved to Hope Valley. She grew up in Concord, North Carolina and attended UNC-Chapel Hill pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. She worked in DC for Tricare for three years before returning to UNC-Chapel Hill for her master’s in Health Administration. Britney works for UNC Health Care as a Program Manager for virtual care ensuring patients across the entire health system have access to virtual healthcare.

 

While Brett’s commute to Raleigh is a long one each day, they both love this community. “The walkability, the access to great restaurants, and it is a wonderful place for Brett to run and Britney to walk.” Brett adds, “We are both foodies and like trying new foods and restaurants. Succotash and Pop’s Backdoor have become neighborhood favorites.”

 

Brett likes O2Fitness, and Britney prefers a workout at their home gym. She recently hired a Prenatal Trainer who creates specific workouts for each Trimester of her pregnancy.  

 “We are so excited about the arrival of our baby boy, due August 9, 2023. This is our first child, and we are both over the moon!” Britney shares, “We are planning the nursery and our registry is already complete. We already have so much love in their hearts for our little one.” Brett adds, “I am so excited to parent with Britney!”

 

Brett and Britney share an interesting hobby. “Brett got me hooked on Marvel Movies. We always go on the opening nights or the next day. It’s become our special thing.”  

 

Britney bakes specialty cakes for family, friends, and the occasional work event. The pandemic provided time for watching cake-baking and decorating Instagram videos and for experimenting with specialty cakes.