Life Updates

We finally did it — family photos with a real photographer. Levi was full of energy, Brittney looked stunning, Phoenix made a cameo, and Ben somehow kept it together for most of the shots. The photos came out beautifully and we're so happy to have them to share.

Check out the full gallery here — every single one is a keeper.

Levi is wrapping up 1st grade and we couldn't be more proud. This kid reads like a champ, loves math, and has more energy at 7 AM than most adults do with three coffees. This fall he starts 2nd grade, and this fall he also becomes a big brother. Big year, buddy.

It was November 20th, 2022. Ben was home sick in bed when his phone rang. Brittney's voice: "I know it's last minute, but IF YOU ARE FREEEeee — you should come to this event with me and meet Levi!"

He had never dated a woman with a child before. Meeting Levi was a big deal — he knew it. But something told him he couldn't miss this. He took an espresso shot, jumped in his truck, and drove to the Enchanted Christmas Event at the Salt River Spring Training Fields in Scottsdale.

Levi was three years old and far more interested in the Christmas lights than in whoever "Ben" was. He ran around full of energy, completely unbothered. But as the night went on, something easy and natural happened. By the end of the evening, Levi was on Ben's shoulders — laughing, running, doing exactly what a three-year-old does. No resistance. No hesitation. Just a little kid who decided Ben was alright.

Ben drove home that night with a quiet confidence. He was exactly where he was supposed to be.

It started almost a year before they finally met in person. Early 2022 — both swipe right on Bumble. Brittney makes the first move. Ben, immediately interested, suggests dinner. No response. A double date. She backs out. A hot air balloon ride. Silence. Ben didn't take it personally. He just waited. If it's meant to happen, it will.

On the morning of October 21st, 2022, Ben sent that same hot air balloon suggestion one more time. That same evening — without any planning whatsoever — both Brittney and Ben ended up at the exact same place: The Buffalo Chip Saloon in Cave Creek, Arizona. Music, dancing, a rodeo, and two people who had been circling each other for almost a year.

Ben was standing outside when he saw her — a brunette walking toward him. Then it clicked. As she got closer, she said: "BEN!" And he blurted out without hesitation: "BRITTNEY… YOU ARE SO CUTE!"

They laughed about all the failed attempts. They spent the whole night together. And as the evening ended, Ben said: "No, I'm not texting you. You can text me if you want to meet again."

She texted. And the rest is the McGee family story. 🤠