Many of you know our story, but for those who do not, our love story began on Labor Day 2008. I (Kathy) was hanging out with friends at the beach in Santa Monica and decided to have an impromptu Labor Day BBQ. Our friends, Linda and Eric, invited Adrian over to the BBQ and Adrian accepted the invitation even though he knew he really wouldn’t know anyone besides Linda and Eric. Adrian called me (I was a stranger at the time) on the way over to get directions and described the voice on the other end of the phone as very friendly and kind. We had a very nice time at the BBQ and this started a year+ long friendship. We thought about dating earlier on in the friendship but my feelings hadn't quite gotten there yet and I wanted to, "just be friends". One very significant thing we did together since we've known each other is that about once a week we would meet in the mornings at the beach (Adrian would surf and I would either bike ride or power walk). We would sit on the beach together and pray for our friends and family. Adrian is a prayer warrior and is so mindful to lead us both in prayer regularly. Many of those heartfelt prayers went out for my dear friend Richard Felipe who had Cancer at the time and has gone to be with the Lord. Adrian had never met him but was always praying for him and for Richard's wife. The Lord really honored our time praying in the mornings and He honored Adrian's prayers during the year long friendship we had, as it wasn't always easy for Adrian with the status of "just friends." He said he would often talk to the Lord and tell him his true feelings for me and would ask for His help to be okay with it. Our friendship did continue and strengthen over the course of the year and we mostly spent time hanging out with Linda and Eric going on bike rides, watching movies, going to dinners, worship nights at church, etc. In Oct. 2009, Adrian and I started hanging out more just by ourselves. One very special occasion was a drive up to my nephew Rickey's football game in Santa Barbara, CA. We stopped at one of Adrian's favorite surf spots and Adrian took photos of me (His hidden photographic talent was impressive!). We had a great time at the game and Adrian met some of my family. For those of you who don't know him, he is always smiling and laughing and was received well by my family members that were at the game. Our road trip to SB was filled with sunset beach walks, good conversation and a lot of laughs. Soon we were taking bike rides alone and going out to dinner alone. Well, during one of our beach prayer times the Lord showed me, in a mighty way, what an amazing man Adrian is. The feelings of love for him flooded my heart like a tidal wave. In that moment I knew that I had fallen madly in love with him and that the Lord had planned it this way all along! I’d like to think Richard who’s in heaven is happy that his friend of 10 years has found true love.

Just so you know, I didn't confess my love for Adrian right away. Since we had been "friends" for over a year, I wanted God to confirm in my heart that this was real. I hadn't experienced what true love felt like in quite some time so I really felt the need to be cautious. Adrian shares now that at the same time I was falling in love with him, he had surrendered our relationship totally and completely to the Lord. Our God truly loves a surrendered heart. So, we continued to hang out by ourselves and with friends for almost three weeks before I confessed my changed feelings for Adrian. On the night before Thanksgiving 2009, I knew it was time to let Adrian in on the wonderful feelings I was experiencing. While he knew something was different with us, he didn't expect I had fallen in love. We sealed my "confession" with a kiss, or two - - okay, or three, and then we parted company. Adrian said as he drove home that night that it was absolutely surreal. He could hardly believe what had just happened. I, too, had difficulty sleeping that night due to such excitement about knowing we would be starting our lives together from that point on.

So, loved ones, we hoped you enjoyed hearing our story. Since beginning our love journey together, a lot has happened for us. Of course, we're not spring chickens and wanted to "get on with our lives already!" We already had some common goals in mind for our future and one of those goals was to buy a house. So, with our arrival home from our honeymoon we'll both be moving into our new home in the San Fernando Valley. We both feel very strongly that financially this is a much wiser decision versus spending a lot of money on a pricey wedding. This has led us to decide to have a small, family wedding ceremony on October 16 and then a wedding celebration at our new home in November 27. We look forward to celebrating our love and marriage with those of you who can join us on these dates. To our Savior and our Lord Jesus Christ we give ALL the glory!!