Get to Know a Garden City Member: The Brauns

Hi, we’re the Brauns! 

Betsy is from San Jose, and Mike grew up just outside Winnipeg, Canada. A shared passion for music led us to meet at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where Betsy studied violin, and Mike noodled on his classical guitar. We treasured our time living in the City - one of our favorite areas is 18th & Dolores, with Tartine Bakery, Bi-Rite Creamery, and Dolores Park all within a block of each other! We share a strong enthusiasm for food, and this is almost always the highlight of any trip or place we visit, as well as our favorite way to engage with people. 

We started attending Garden City a few months before it launched in 2011, and it has been an exciting ride filled with rich community and spiritual growth. On a regular Sunday, you can often find us serving on the worship team, praising Jesus through music. We’re currently a part of the Patrons & Proclaimers life group led by Kevin and Leslie Cathey. Witnessing first hand the generosity of members of Garden City, either through time, talents, or treasure during this crazy time in the world has been inspiring for us.

SIP has been easier on the introverted Mike, but it's been pretty rough for Betsy - she lives for hugs! The most joy and encouragement we have received has been sharing 6-feet-apart meals or coffee in parking lots with our Garden City family, and deepening friendships over Zoom.

A few other fun facts!:

• Betsy loves to dance West Coast Swing in locations all over the Bay Area, and also enjoys Salsa dancing.

• The best croissant in the world can be found at Ble Sucre in Paris.

• Mike is absurdly obsessed with coffee and doesn’t mind being called a weird coffee person. 

• Betsy has a bespoke baked goods side hustle called Sweet Note.

• Mike can speak 8 languages, including mime. He is more or less fluent in one.

• We have gone for a walk in -50F weather for the noble causes of friendship and cinnamon rolls.