|  |  | Jill North
Mark de la Garza
We were both single parents looking for a special someone to continue our journey of life together with. We were both environmental scientists, and rock climbers, shared many of the same principles and values and lived only 35 miles apart. Our children are close in age and get along really well. Who would have guessed that it would take match.com to bring us together?!
We have been living together as a family for a year and a half now. We enjoy taking adventurous family trips, have had the benefit of time to successfully navigate through challenges together, and anticipate many many more years together!! We look forward to officially and symbolically celebrating the joining of our lives and blending of our families together with you!!! |  | It was the weekend of September 25, 2010 and Mark had invited me to Yosemite for a weekend of camping and climbing. We decided to climb one of the more popular and classic climbs in Tuolumne meadows called “Cathedral Peak”.
On Friday we did some warm up climbs and Mark was more nervous and tentative than usual. He kept asking, “got me?” and saying, “watch me!”, and he froze on an “easy” section of rock (this happens sometimes).
On Sunday we got an early start for the 3 Mile hike in. When we got to the base of Cathedral Peak, we were the second party there. We switched leads during the climb and sailed through the “chimney” section of the climb first, avoiding any possibility of a bottleneck there. It was a gorgeous and warm fall day for this awesome climb. Mark led the final pitch of the climb, when I reached the tiny platform of the summit block, I was excited and breathless. I was still catching my breath when Mark knelt and pulled out my engagement ring and asked, “will you marry me?” I thought I couldn’t lose my breath anymore or become more exhilarated, but I did!! I was in one of the most beautiful places on earth with this most beautiful man asking me to marry him!!! (Of course, I said, “YES”!)
Marks Version:
My heart was pounding as I thought about what I was about to do, I had been planning this out for months, did she suspect? Would she say yes? There we stood at 10,911 ft. on top of Cathedral Peak in Yosemite. We had just spent the past 4 hours climbing 700 ft. up the southeast buttress. The top is a small 4x5 ft. pedestal with lots of exposure. We still had our harnesses on and were tied in to our anchor. The moment I had been waiting for had arrived we were alone in Gods cathedral; I pretended to not be nervous. She stood up to start the down climb, I said there is one more thing before we leave. I reached into my pocket, pulled out the ring, then got down on one knee and said “Jill will you marry me”. She was totally surprised; her fist words were “Oh my God, I can’t believe you are doing this, here, now”. She took a few deep breaths and said “Yes I will marry you Mark”. With my heart still pounding, I stood up, we looked each other in the eyes, and said to each other I love you, hugged, kissed, and cried tears of joy. And that is how we became engaged on Saturday September 25, 2010
|  | Where: Historic Jack House & Victorian Gardens
536 Marsh Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
When: Sunday, June 17th
Time: 4:00 - 8:00 (arrive early for 4:00 wedding start) We have the grounds reserved all day.
Attire: Central Coast Semi-Formal (no ties, jackets optional) It can cool off quite a bit in the evening, so bring something warm and pray for NO FOG!
Bring: yourself, a spouse/partner/friend & your family
There will be activities for kids.
Places to stay: If you are travelling from out of town, there is a variety of lodging to meet your needs, please call to reserve your room ASAP, as this is a popular destination and rooms are filling up already.
San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce:
http://visitslo.com/cm/Lodging/Home.html
San Luis Obispo Only:
http://www.google.com/hotelfinder/#search;l=San+Luis+Obispo,+California;d=2012-05-13;n=1;si=594b19e
Fun surrounding areas:
http://www.google.com/hotelfinder/#search;l=San+Luis+Obispo,+California;d=2012-05-13;n=1;si=594b19e |  | Ceremony
We will be blending our lives and families in many ways this day. We have a pastor and a rabbi to celebrate the similarities and differences within our spiritual and religious beliefs. We will exchange vows to become husband and wife and create a new family together.
We will hold a sand ceremony where we pour different colored sands together to symbolize the joining of husband and wife and blending of our families together as one.
Pastor: Brian Walker
Rabbi: Jayne Simon
Maid of Honor: Sister, Heidi North
Best Man: Friend, Greg Denlinger
Ring Bearer: Son, Cisco de la Garza
Flower Girl: Daughter, Nicole North-Wilson
Bar-b-que Master: Son, Bryce North-Wilson
Reception
Reception to immediately follow wedding
Chicken & Tri-tip Bar-b-que (you may specify salmon when you RSVP)
Beer, wine, water and juice will be served.
Bring your dance shoes!! (Our great DJ Kurt takes requests!!)
RSVP to jillischill5@yahoo.com with your plans on attendance and # coming by May 31st. |  | After our wedding, Jill and I are going to the Coasta del Sol in Southern Spain sans (pardon our french!) children. We are leaving our kids in the care of our friends and family for 16 glorious days while we celebrate our new lives together. This will be a cultural experience full of romance, adventure, appreciation of art, history, and relaxation.
To do list:
Granada:
· Explore the 14th century castle Alhambra.
o The castle was built by the Moors and includes the "alcazaba" (fortress), "alcázar" (palace) and a small "medina" (city) with beautiful gardens & fountains.
Malaga:
Set up base camp near this Mediterranian town.
· go mountain biking,
· visit the Picasso Museum
· visit other historical sites
· lay on beach doing nothing.
Day Trips:
· Ronda
o see the Tajo gorge
o prehistoric cave paintings
o admire the white towns of the area
· Morrocco
o Have pictures taken with camels
o Buy snake oil from snake charmers! |
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