It all started 6 years ago at a rowing alumni event in Petaluma, CA. We were both on the Sonoma State rowing team and missed overlapping by 1 year during our time in college. Fate brought us together at this rowing alumni event and thank goodness Tera and Emma (bridesmaid) did not end up turning around from how strange it was to be back at the old boathouse. How the sequence of events went down from there is up for debate, but long story short, Tera added Alex on Facebook after the event. Alex messaged Tera once accepting friend request and from there it is history.

Our first date was a hike at Spring Lake in Santa Rosa. Alex was 30 minutes late, almost taking out his front axel flying over a speed bump in the pouring rain. Alex made up for it by explaining he was stopping for Yerba Mate Teas, which was an introduction to Tera's new found love for “Yerbas”. We proceeded with the hike, in the rain that turned to hail, and had the best time talking and learning about each other - both knowing this was something special!

Worlds collided and we came to find out Alex’s sister, Michelle, was good friends and grew up with Kate, who sailed with Tera's brother at UC Irvine. Siblings immediately got the scoop from their inside connections and we have had a great time intertwining our connections since then.

In our 6 years together, we have had many good times. Alex sharing his love for the outdoors, gardening, and cooking. Tera facing her fear of heights more than ever in her life, sharing her love of coffee dates, and trying to teach Alex how to rest and relax “R&R”.

We have also had challenges in our time together. Alex just setting foot in his firefighting career when we first met and facing the worst fire season in CA history. Shortly after this he began Paramedic School, working 13 days on with 1 day off. Tera was stability; providing calming comfort, compassion, and care to get Alex through those crazy times.

Then COVID hit with its own challenges, but the silver lining was adopting our sweet pup, Kaya (aka Kaya-pua-a, Kaya- papaya, Kai). She was the first dog we visited for 10 minutes at a shelter in San Francisco - it was just right and she has been the best addition to our little family.

New Years Eve 2021, we had plans to go to Grass Valley for the weekend, but Alex had bigger plans up his sleeve. We had to cancel the trip last minute because Alex got mandatoried to work New Years Day. New Years Eve day, Alex got off of work in the morning, and it just felt like a special day. We started off with some mimosas and decided to splurge and have a great day to make up for our cancelled trip. Alex said “Ok, get ready, we are going to go see some views today, but I don't really want to do any hiking”. Tera, thought this was strange, but she was 100% game. We ended up near the west side on top of Mt. Tam, overlooking the ocean and Bolinas Lagoon. Alex setup the phone for next year's Christmas card and he got the whole thing on video. He dropped to one knee, we cried, laughed, and then met up with friends. We got to share the good news and celebrate with friends and family to ring in the New Year.

We cannot WAIT to get married and celebrate with each and every one of you this year!! Thank you all for being a special part of our lives and getting us to where we are today.

- Alex and Tera