Brian and I met in 2006 in Ventura, California on the Outrigger Canoe Racing team. I wasn’t too fond of him at first and he was dating someone else at the time. However, our competitive spirits drew us together and at one point, he was walking away from a gathering with his then girlfriend and I thought to myself, “He is supposed to be with me.” Luckily, Brian shared the same sentiment when I showed up to a gathering with a gentlemen, but Brian made sure he escorted me home – and that is when we had our first kiss.
Brian asked my Dad for his blessing for us to get married while we were visiting for Christmas 2007 – My Dad gave his blessing, and just asked that we enjoy a long engagement. Brian then proceeded to beat my Dad at Scrabble the next day…I really think he should have let him win.
We were married on October 3rd, 2009 at the Ventura Yacht Club – It was really a beautiful day and I can’t think how it could have been more perfect. Hawaiian theme, outdoors on the harbor, Hawaiian band, Hula Dancers, and all our friends and family…perfect. In my Dad’s speech he commented that it was the best wedding he had ever been to, when my sister protested, Dad pointed out that there weren’t hula girls in coconut bras at her wedding.
We honeymooned in Kona, Hawaii in Captain Cook’s Bay. We rented a little house not far from the water that was, once again, absolutely perfect. I would love to go back and visit someday.
The summer before our wedding, Brian commented that we should try for a baby the next year. Honestly, I didn’t think much of it…after all, it never happens on the first try. On June 5, 2010 after the Ventura Race and a few shots of tequila, we tried and it worked. It took 3 pregnancy tests and a month of morning sickness to convince me that it was really true – we were going to have a baby. Oh baby!
