I remember it like it was yesterday.

I was 15 years old and it was a warm summer day. I had just finished high school football practice and my friend and I had the bright idea to continue our practice by playing catch in the courtyard of the school. You see, that day also happened to be the same day new freshmen were arriving to get their class schedules and books! Like the curious 15 year old boys we were at the time, we thought it would be a good idea to see if we recognized anyone we knew, and of course check out the new kids that we didn’t know.

As we tossed the ball back and forth a tall, slender, dark haired girl in a sundress caught my attention. She was pushing a stroller back and forth while her mother stood in line for her class schedule. This girl was different!! As she pushed the stroller down the sidewalk she kept a tall straight posture and with her nose just angled slightly to the sky. Along with her beauty, she exuded just enough confidence to be noticed. I was intrigued.

I thought to myself, "wow, who is that girl?!".

I distinctly remember thinking that there was something very special and different about her. Yes, she was beautiful, but there was even more that caught my attention. Not knowing then what that something was, I was determined to find out.

The year came and went and we crossed paths many times. Our two groups of friends started to overlap and I continued to have a secret crush on her. Finally, after many months my interest in her became evident and I asked her to a high school dance. She said yes, but due to some set of unfortunate circumstances, which you may hear more about at our wedding, she was no longer able to go with me to the dance.

Future dances came and went, and we attended them all together. We were officially "boyfriend and girlfriend!”

I was 17 and I loved her!

A year passed, I graduated high school, and she was about to enter her senior year. We were on our way to her Mimi and Papa's house, which at the time was in Palm Springs, and we were talking about "us". I told her that I loved her. I knew in my heart she was "my love,” but she had questions. In a sweet and genuine voice she asked, "do you even know what love is?" I said, "yes, I love you". At that time I realized we didn't share the same feelings for each other and we parted ways. I moved to San Diego months later to go to college and she would go on to finish her senior year, attend Cal State Fullerton, and then head off to Las Vegas.

I moved on, literally and figuratively, but I have to be honest, she was always on my mind. Thoughts of her would come and go in waves. What was she doing? Was she happy? Would she ever believe that my love was true back then?

I lived my life in San Diego and she went on to live hers. A lot of life was lived between the both of us, not together, but with others.

All good things come to those that are patient.

Timing is everything.

Things that are meant to be will be.

These are all things that come to mind when I think about our reconnection. Over a decade had passed and we reconnected one spring day to see a concert. It was meant to be I thought. No one holds the key to my heart like Nicole. Her beauty within shines so bright that it overshadows her external beauty, which is saying a lot! When I reflect back at the first moment I saw her, the conversation in the car ride to her Mimi and Papa’s, and my ultimate love for her now, there is no denying that she is my Forever Love and I am hers.~

We're lucky to already have a home full of everything we need, so please enjoy browsing this wish list, where you can contribute to our dream honeymoon!

Thanks for visiting and we can't wait to see you on our big day!