The bride and groom met as teenagers at Yucaipa High School. Amanda was immediately taken with Chad and her crush lasted clear into college - and never really every disappeared completely. She loves to tease Chad about how many of her friends he dated, but she also always says that the "Friend Zone" was always okay with her because it meant Chad was still in her life. They fell out of touch as life took them in very opposite directions, but re-connection loomed about five years in the future.

Their paths crossed again when they discovered they were both studying at the University of Redlands School of Business. When they met up between classes to say a quick "long time no see," neither one knew just how close they were to starting their love story.

A year or two passed before Chad eventually asked Amanda to a friendly meet-up so he could get some "dating advice," which she didn't recognize for the line that it was. Luckily, this sly attempt to leave the "Friend Zone" worked like a charm. Mere minutes into the evening, Amanda felt like a teenager again and was incurably charmed by him.

One week later, the two went on their first official date to stroll through the Mission Inn Festival of lights, and they have been together ever since.