They both met at Oracle in 2003, where they were both Account Managers for the Inside Sales organization. The first meeting was a sales training class, where Brendan spotted Valerie for the first time and partnered with her, only to have to draw her face in order to learn more about her. However, they would spend the next two years running into each other at sales training, work functions and in the elevator of the Oracle Sales building until one fateful day two years later.

In August 2005, a mutual friend, Tony, and colleague of Brendan and Valerie invited both to lunch. Little did Valerie know that Brendan had told Tony to get her to go to lunch. Tony told Valerie that Brendan thought she was cute and so when Tony asked Valerie to meet up for lunch, she said "Only if Brendan can come too." (All part of the master plan for Brendan!) They went to the Elephant Bar (the three of them!) where Brendan and Valerie immediate hit it off. As soon as Brendan returned to his desk, he proceeded to instant message Valerie and asked her on a date. But she said "Call me on the phone instead of doing this on instant message!" (haha) She said yes and they scheduled their first date for the following day on a Saturday night. Their first official date was at the E&O Trading Company in downtown San Jose, where both were as nervous as can be! It went very well after a few drinks each! Their second date was watching "Serendipity" at Brendan's house... he really knows a way to a girl's heart! ; )