Brian grew up in Middle Tennessee surrounded by his family. When he graduated high school, he left home and started college at Tennessee Tech University where he joined the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He met Diana at college, and while he was drugged and recovering from a severely broken nose, he asked her to marry him. As they say, the rest is history. Brian has a Mechanical Engineering degree and has worked for the past 20 years as an engineer in manufacturing making tires, air conditioners, and desiccant breathers and filters. Brian spends a lot of time working on the ‘52 Chevy truck he’s had since he was 17. When he isn’t tinkering with it, he enjoys making (and especially drinking) craft beer. He’s won several awards for his own brews including a smoked porter, an IPA, a pale ale, and an Irish Red. Brian is most excited about being able to explore the world at his own pace and with no set schedule.
Diana is originally from southern Mississippi, but her family moved to the Middle Tennessee region when she was just 8 years old. She grew up with her parents and big sister telling her she could do anything she set her mind to, and she’s spent her life trying to make them proud by doing just that. Diana met Brian during their freshman year at Tennessee Technological University, and after a few years, she finally asked him out on a date. His ‘we’ll see’ was not the resounding ‘yes’ she was hoping for, but that $2.50 date has led to a lifetime together. She went on to earn a Bachelor degree in Industrial Engineering and later a Masters in Business from TTU. She has worked for the past 20 years in manufacturing making cars, pencils, vacuum components, stoves, and water heaters. Diana is very much a planner, and her biggest anxiety about traveling long term is that she cannot make detailed plans. She’s learning how to live day to day and just enjoy the moments as they pass.
Henry was born and raised in Middle Tennessee. He excels at school, especially math and science, and he is a very creative writer. He has played soccer and basketball, and he competed in gymnastics for several years, winning multiple awards for the high bar and still rings events. He enjoys Minecraft, YouTube, and making money; the kid is a natural born entrepreneur. Throughout his educational career, he created side hustles making and selling slime, origami, and stress balls and he had other businesses selling snacks and even shade on the playground. He has become a master negotiator at yard sales, as well. Henry is most excited about traveling because of all the different foods he’ll get to try. Guinea pig on a stick is definitely on his bucket list.
Expedition Fresh Start 