Bridget and Irene met in 1992 through an acquaintance while Bridget was 10 and Irene was 12 years. Their friendship has grown from attending a junior college together, the ups and downs within one another's relationships, marriages, children and different jobs. Here's to 33 years of friendship!

It was during my freshman year in high school that I first met Irene through mutual friends. Being the introvert that I was, Irene probably thought I was a snob who didn’t quite understand her humor. Little did she know, deep down inside, I wasn’t laughing at her, but I was laughing with her. She brought out a side of me that I never knew existed. If I could sum it up in 3 words it would be “crazy, eschoopid, and papaanawa”. Throughout the years we remained in touch. And although there were gaps where we didn’t see each other for a while, one thing remained and that was our friendship that has lasted for over 3 decades. She’s been there for me through some of my darkest days and she’s also shared many joyous occasions with me, as well. I look forward to many more life celebrations with her and I can’t wait to celebrate her and Bito soon. Finally!

Please correct my grammar and Engrish: We met in summer school ‘93 and have been inseparable Gemini twins ebbersinse. We have the same love for pithuahuas and music. Not only were we in one music group but 2! We’ve done numerous fun runs, hikes, and so much more but we’ve both been too drunk to remember. Instead of watching each other grow up we continue to act like the 14 year olds we were when we first met. Cheers to the communities!

Irene(mom) has been my mom for the past 15 years. I can’t remember the day I met her but I do remember all the things she’s done for me. Through practices, games,bad hair days breakups, and after work rants she has been there. She is the person I always go to when there is something on my mind and have never felt like I didn’t have her full attention. Anyone who knows her knows: she cares deeply, she works harder than 99% of the people you know, and when it’s time to celebrate you or your accomplishments you can hear her “AKEKEKEEEE” all night long. we couldn’t have found someone who fit ever so perfectly in our family the way she does. Now it’s just time to make it official.

“ I will always remember the first moment I met Irene. My dad was picking me up from the airport for my yearly summer visits, usually it would just be him & Lala, except this time it wasn’t. Once I got in Lala was in her car seat, I look over and I see Lance sleeping in his car seat. Irene was in the driver seat, turns around and says “hi! Im Irene”. First thing I thought of was how pretty she was. From that moment on I’ve considered her my step mom and wouldn't have asked for anyone better for my dad”

Irene and I met at Baskin Robbins, which was one of my first high school jobs and could say by far, the best! Because who didn’t want to eat ice cream all day?! Irene was the coolest most funniest OG employees there, and I knew from that point I had to be her friend. We could act like “cats” around each other and not look or feel stupid! (Inside joke lol). I’m so happy and honored to have a friendship with you throughout the years and to be part of your special day! P.S. Don’t forget to “pick up your belongs”.

Irene and I met when Lance & MJ were on the same little league team in 2nd grade. I was drinking a vodka lemonade at 10:30am keeping score when her beautiful muscular thighs approached me wearing a “Jesus Lives” hat. I assumed she was super Christian so I made sure to watch my mouth around her. As soon as she cussed in a text, brought Crown & Diet in a sippie cup to the game, and offered me a shot from the bottle in her trunk, I knew we were going to be great friends! We devised a plan to get Bito & Joe to hang out and they’ve been very bromantic ever since! It worked better than we ever could have imagined! Also, I love that I'm the only white person she likes.. yeah, that's including you, Jeremiah!

The first time I met my sister-in-law, aka AUNTIE-was on a weekday afternoon at Caroline's kids daycare. As I walked in, there she was, a Pinoy with a beautiful smile and the best legs lol . In that moment, I knew she was the ONE! Having a sister like you, there is never a dull moment. I love you and so grateful to call you my sister. Ah whooooooo!!!

Wait.. They're finally getting married??

We are "Crazy Raguindin" first cousins, but we just know how to hide our crazy better. You would never know by being around us that we really did not grow up together because we found out as teenagers that our parents (who are siblings) have their own teledrama that is hard to keep up with. The parents' drama still did not keep us from finding our way to be funniest twin flame kasins, and grow closer as adults. A seamless bond that our cousin Melanie describes "it can be silent in a room but they know how to talk/laugh at each other through their minds." Junior says it’s like we are each other’s heart beat because we tsismis every morning and afternoon on our commutes. We have so many crazy memories and can’t wait to make more. We know we are kasins because be have to wear uggs and sleeping bag jackets to go to the kitchen, love go to food 4 less or Walmart at 6:30 am like crazy crack heads because it reminds of srirok ti rangtay & we know how to survive the Killer Bangus river with only beach towels, iPhone charger cords and branches. Kasinsins!

My memory is a blur from 30 years ago, but I know I met Alvaro in 8th grade- miss smith’s math class. We started talking and sharing where we came from, and it quickly became a cap contest. 8th grade flow by fast, and that was the first time I had met his mom. In high school I would travel to city to visit some of my friends, and Jr. and I would run into each other from time to time. It wasn’t until the summer after finishing 10th grade that I started hanging out more with my Union city friends and Jr and I really stayed hanging out with each other. We talked about our families and got to know each other from James Logan high school. That summer Alvaro asked me if I went to live with his family. The thought of the idea living with a new family was something that I wanted to have for some normalcy in my life. I was grateful for him and his family for taking me into their home. Long story short, Alvaro and I build a brotherly bond. He let me wear his clothes and socks and anything else you can think of. I shared his room and I felt so much a member of this new family that had open their hearts and home. I had never met a family so generous. We shared our family stories, and realized we both didn’t have our fathers in our lives. We were pretty much attached up at the hip all through high school, and in the 11th grade we were inseparable. I moved out my senior year, started working and he went to college, and we would visit and watch him play baseball at San Jose State. I could go on and on. Alvaro is my brother and love him dearly. And would give my soul to my brother. Congratulations 🎉 again to the both of you.

We met in our freshman year of high school through mutual friends. At the time we were just acquaintances but over time I got to see his generosity. He would buy food for his friends, lend them money when they needed it and even let them borrow his Great America pass! We got closer over the years and he invited me to his house where I got to meet his crazy/fun family that he always talked about. I met his mom, Caroline, Joe, Alisia, John and Rosie. Caroline always had an open door policy where people were able to come and go as long as they respected Caroline’s rules! LOL (I was there constantly.) It reminded me a lot of my family I got comfortable real quick and felt like family to them instantly.

Dear friends and loved ones, let's journey back to a simpler time, where bonds were formed amidst the innocent chaos of childhood. Our story begins in a math class, of all places, during our fifth-grade years, where fate decided to have a little fun. Imagine this scene: I'm hanging out with my good friend Charles, who many of you know as the respected principal and pastor at Spirit & Truth Church. We're exchanging jokes, laughter filling the air, when suddenly, Alvaro Ruiz, known by a multitude of endearing nicknames like Bito, Jr., and B, makes his entrance. At that time, Alvaro and I were strangers. Misinterpreting my jests for insults aimed at Charles, he boldly steps into the fray, hurling verbal jabs in all directions, even daring to mention my beloved mother. Naturally, I couldn't let that slight go unanswered. With pride on the line, I challenged him to a showdown after class. Now, I must admit, I had never been in a fight before. But in that moment, honor demanded I stand my ground. Despite tasting the bitterness of defeat not once, but twice, I refused to stay down. Alvaro, sensing perhaps the futility of our clash, called an end to the skirmish. Some might argue it was a draw, but in my heart, I claimed the moral victory, seeing as he threw in the towel first! And so, from that day forward, a special bond formed between us. We realized we had each other's backs, through thick and thin. Through laughter and tears, we stood united, like brothers in arms. So here's to Alvaro, my brother from another mother, my partner in mischief, my steadfast companion through it all. May our friendship continue to blossom with each passing day, and may we always find strength in each other, no matter what challenges life throws our way. Here's to a friendship born in the crucible of fifth grade, and may it endure for a lifetime and beyond. Cheers to us!

I don’t remember the first time Bito and I actually met. I remember seeing him at parties always having a good time and then I started seeing him at our parties having a better time than I was having. Shortly after that I began making sure that I had a great time at parties. I was there the day someone gave him his first set of golf clubs and I had just started golfing. Not long after that we started golfing together. I remember thinking, “Damn, this fool’s hella good.” Shortly after that, I focused on getting better at golf. After many rounds of golf, I learned about his perseverance through tragedy prior to us meeting and his ascension with his career, and shortly after that I noticed that my focus on my career path grew to trying to be the best that I could be. I guess what I’m trying to say is it’s hard to know when it all started, kinda like a wart or a cyst, but Jr is someone that grows on you. He went from being an acquaintance to a man that I admire, love, and would trust with what I love. I’m lucky to have met him, he’s one you want in your circle to make you a better man. I’ve always known him with Irene and can’t imagine him without her. I look forward to being part of their lives for the rest of mine.