Our History

Michael and I met in 2003 through a mutual friend. Michael was finishing up a lunch date and I was arriving for a girls weekend. Michael ended up spending the evening with a bunch of girls and we engaged in a mock-game of Elimi-date. Guess who won? We officially started dating that summer after our first date in Yountville. Even though Compadres is no longer at its original location, it will always have a special place in our hearts. After a year of driving back and forth between Gilroy and Fairfield, Michael proposed.

On June 26, 2004, while sitting in front of the fire at The Napa Rose located in the Grand Californian Hotel at DISNEYLAND, Michael asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. Then he slipped a ring on my finger and it was official!! However, the surprises were just beginning.
Before I had time to process exactly what had happened, Our families surprised me at the restaurant. It was an evening filled with great food and excellent wine. Disney pulled out all of the stops and presented us with champagne flutes with crystal Mickey heads, white chocolate castle favors, and a private dining room. Our families spent the night at the hotel and then we ended the weekend with another day at Disneyland.

I started planning the wedding when we returned home and finally settled on July 30, 2005. The wedding was held at First Presbyterian Church in Concord, Ca. My youth pastor performed the ceremony and we were blessed to be surrounded by 200 of our closest friends and family members. My sister Heather served as the maid of honor and Michael's brother Bryan took over the role of Best Man. Two of my oldest friends, Penny and Jillian, my college roommates, Jenn and Steph, and my college friend Courtney stood by my side on this important day. Michael was surrounded by his oldest friend Barry, his cousins Jason and Josh, and his college friends Aaron and Luke. Michael and several of his friends formed a worship band and played several songs during the ceremony. I walked down the aisle to Cindy Morgan's, "Make Us One," the same song that was used by Steph and Luke and later Jenn and Chris.

The reception was held at Shadelands Art Center in Walnut Creek, Ca. Michael sang Stephen Curtis Chapman's, "I Will Be Here, " to me while my father's best friend played my grandfather's guitar. It was a moment that I will never forget. The dancing went on for hours and the cake was a hit. We purchased it from a bakery that my parents had found when they were young and living in the area. We were finally whisked away to The Lafayette Park Hotel where we spent the first night of our honeymoon and then left for Tahoe the next morning.

We spent a week lounging by the lake, eating at fantastic restaurants, and enjoying the hot tub and pool at the Marriott Grand Residence. Our final night was spent on a sunset champagne catamaran ride across the lake. Our honeymoon was perfect!!
Several months later after we were settled into our married lives we adopted Khai and our family, at least for now, was complete. Today we enjoy everything that life in the Napa Valley has to offer. Many weekends are spent wine tasting, wandering around downtown, visiting some of our favorite restaurants, or at home in front of the television with a home cooked meal and a good bottle of wine. God has brought two amazing couples into our lives through our weekly bible study and Christ is helping us to create accountability and friendships. Michael is involved with the worship at Grace Church of the Napa Valley and we both help with the youth group, Highlife. We can't wait for the many adventures that God will bring into our lives in the years to come.