boise love

Love in the BOI: Dawayne and Alexandra

792A1783-FBF4-44E6-976F-C95FE68EAD3C - Alex Bruce.jpeg


Describe How You Two Originally Met.

Dawayne and I have a pretty cute story to tell. We somehow ended up as friends on Facebook years ago, but never interacted with one another at all. Like... not even once. Then one day Dawayne posed a question to his friends via a post, asking “I want to get to know you guys better... who on my friends list enjoys reading and if yes, how often?”. I responded, and went into detail about my very particular taste in novels. Turns out that he had the same taste!! I had just finished an incredible book and offered to let him borrow it, asking only for a book to borrow in return. On the night we exchanged books, we ended up talking for hours while the similarities piled up between us. Fast forward through many adventures and you’ll find us here, making this new house on the greenbelt into a home with our two sweet rescue dogs.

DC8C6702-B675-432C-94D3-65A9ECE7B6BA - Alex Bruce.png


Describe Your First Date and/or First Memories Together

Gosh, we have so many epic memories together already, it’s tough to narrow it down. We are both fueled by the sun, and are passionate about reading and spending time outside. Our first date after we exchanged books, we met up at Quinn’s pond and went out on his paddle board together before settling in on the beach to read and bask in the sun. He took me to The Funky Taco afterwards, and on the way there my mom called and I told her where we were going. She said, with a smile in her voice, “the book guy?” and I said yes with the same smile. I had already called her to gush about him when I left his house for the exchanging of books. After our meal (which was awesome by the way), I excused myself to use the restroom. When I walked out to find him, he was standing on the corner of 8th street, beet red, talking to MY PARENTS!!!!! They were having dinner at Asiagos when I told her we were headed downtown and she decided to surprise us and say hello! Dawayne took meeting my stalker parents on the first date very well, and we have all shared a laugh about that story a few times since. He liked the fact that my mom recognized him, because he knew that meant I’d been talking about him already. And in quite a bit of detail!

67523772-6C02-4EA1-919A-841F03822E26 - Alex Bruce.jpeg

Why do you love living in Boise? Describe some of your favorite things to do in Boise and/or Idaho together

We genuinely love this great state. We love spending time reading at the river or a lake or a pond on the beach, we love hiking in the mountains and hills with the dogs, we love adventuring to hot springs and different historical sights... there’s so many wonderful, beautiful places right at our fingertips, and we want to make sure we are appreciating as many of them as we can to their fullest potential. Living in Boise, we have the unique opportunity to take in some pretty incredible natural beauty every single day. Our morning walk with the dogs begins at 7:10 am, and while walking towards the greenbelt as a family, we get to see the silhouette of the mountains as the sun gets ready to peak out from behind them to wake the city. Our shared love for where we live is a huge part of the reason we fell in love with each other in the first place.

BC3BD684-74CF-459B-8D6A-CACF6EB0F810 - Alex Bruce.jpeg

What advice do you have for those searching for love?

I’ve been writing about us while lying on the floor next to him in his office with my feet up on his lap. He’s rubbing them in between mouse clicks and sentences typed. I looked up at him and asked him this question (what advice do you have for those searching for love), and this was his response: “Look for the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, not the rest of next week.” I’m going to have to agree with that sentiment, and add that while we are not perfect, we are willing to communicate openly and honestly, and own where we each fall short. If you find someone who’s willing to do this with you, then you’ve found someone worth creating a future with.

5115A392-364B-41CC-835B-3F9C88BB8251 - Alex Bruce.jpeg

Thank you Dawayne and Alexandra for sharing your story! Make sure to follow them on Instagram: @shattering_thenorm and @alexandrabrucemeow

LOVE IN THE BOI: Lauren & Detrik


75C36C91-A164-4E08-865E-E4CBB1ED6D55 - Lauren Luffel.jpeg





How did you two meet? 

Through my high school friend. They are cousins and she introduced me to him.




1EABA645-5898-4959-8E5F-A0E08C2BE48D - Lauren Luffel.jpeg

Describe Your First Date

We met in high school so we mainly hung out at my parents house or my friends house. I met him the first time YMCA when I was working as a lifeguard.






80CDAE02-C5C5-49CC-9075-73EF250619FC - Lauren Luffel.jpeg

What are you favorite local things to do & places to go?

We love to go hiking & adventuring with our 3 kids! Anything outdoors is our favorite place to be. Our favorite place to go with the family is Donnelly at my families cabin.






34561ABA-3AF9-4BE0-826C-24D0A6F1B9F7 - Lauren Luffel.jpeg






What is one word of advice you have to those who are still in search of love?

Don’t give up on love!






107C9A8D-7317-4F0C-B9AB-8013EB22926D - Lauren Luffel.jpeg

Head over to laurenstillwaugh and detrikstillwaugh and follow their journey. Thank you Lauren & Detrik for sharing your #LoveInTheBOI story

LOVE IN THE BOI: Alexis & Isaac


alexis 1.png


He was the quiet star soccer player known as Beckham Jr. She was the outgoing one who ended asking him to dance at a mutual friend’s birthday party. This is Alexis & Isaac’s #LoveInTheBOI story



How did you two meet?

Isaac & I met in our high school english class. He was the sweet quiet one, I was the crazy loud one! He was the star soccer player at our school, everyone called him Beckham Jr. (in reference to David Beckham) We hadn't really talked much in school, but one night my best friend & I went to her boyfriends birthday party. I barely knew anyone there... Once I saw Isaac was there I asked him to dance with me & the rest is history!





alexis 2.png

Describe Your First Date

Our first date wasn't really a date at all, I was convinced we were just friends, I swore I didn't like him. We went on a double date as friends, ice skating. On our drive home he held my hand and I remember feeling so giddy. We texted for a while after that. I started going to his soccer games & making him signs saying "Go Beckham Jr" and even a huge sign for his senior night (no really three people had to help me hold it up)






IMG_5158 - Alexis Gardner.png

What are you favorite local things to do & places to go

We moved to Boise 4 years ago at the young age of 19. When we arrived here we knew this would be home! We love being downtown & checking out all the little shops and new restaurants! Some of our favorite places are Matador, 10 Barrel, and Taphouse for brunch!




IMG_5156 - Alexis Gardner.png








What is one word of advice you have to those who are still in search of love?

Love is beautiful, captivating, all consuming. Never stop searching for your other half, never lower your standards. The perfect person is out there for you! Some love takes time to develop, you may not even know that it is happening at first, but once you find someone you couldn't picture your life without, don't give up on them. Don't let go.








IMG_5155 - Alexis Gardner.png

**UPDATE: Alexis & Isaac were engaged last week! Isaac reenacted their first date together from 5 years ago. He asked for Alexis parents’ blessing. He even included her sister to help surprise Alexis! Cheers to their #LoveInTheBOI story. Make sure to follow Alexis at @gardnerknows and Isaac at @dbeckham23 fo all their adventures.