Wedding Celebration

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

&nbsp; Our story starts on the island of&nbsp;Guam, where James was stationed with the Coast Guard and Esther was working in property management. Life on a small island has a funny way of bringing people together, and we first crossed paths through&nbsp;CrossFit Latte Stone, where James was coaching. It wasn’t until the pandemic that we actually started talking, and in the middle of all that craziness, we found something steady in each other. Our first date was on&nbsp;July 3, 2020, at&nbsp;Crust Pizzeria Napoletana—and it’s still one of our favorite memories. That’s the night Esther discovered James’s “bougie” side when he made comments about the fingerprints on his wine glass like he was some kind of wine connoisseur (spoiler: he’s not!). Not long after, James bought his first home on Guam, and Esther—being the property management pro—helped him through it all. Working on that together brought us closer and really laid the foundation for what was to come. When James got orders back to California, he was stationed in&nbsp;San Francisco at the Coast Guard Training Center as an instructor. Our relationship kept growing, and during that time, Esther made the big decision to leave Guam and start fresh too. In 2023, Esther joined the&nbsp;U.S. Coast Guard&nbsp;and actually ended up going through training at the same training center where James was stationed. At the same time, James was working toward advancing to&nbsp;Chief Petty Officer. The timing lined up perfectly, and when transfer season came, we were both able to get orders to&nbsp;Maryland together.

The ProposalOur proposal wasn’t a big, flashy event—and that’s exactly what we wanted. We’ve always kept things simple, and the moment reflected that.What made it so meaningful was the ring. James’s grandmother passed down the ring that his grandfather had given her on their&nbsp;25th wedding anniversary. It’s an heirloom we’ll cherish and honor forever. Carrying that history and love made the proposal feel extra special. It was quiet, it was us, and it meant the world.

The CeremonyWhen we got our PCS orders to Maryland, we didn’t realize just how special this move would be. On&nbsp;September 1, 2025, we celebrated a private ceremony at&nbsp;Christ the King Catholic Church in Glen Burnie, Maryland, where we exchanged vows in the&nbsp;Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.

James’s mom did the readings, which made the day even more special. The first was from&nbsp;Ruth 1:16–17, where Ruth says to Naomi:&nbsp;“Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”&nbsp;Those words beautifully echoed the promises we made to one another at the altar. The second was from&nbsp;Colossians 3:12–17, reminding us to&nbsp;“clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience… And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”&nbsp;Hearing those words spoken over our marriage grounded the day in faith and gave us a guide for how we want to live out our vows every day.

It was simple, intimate, and full of joy. Even though it was just us, it felt like the perfect beginning to this next chapter. Maryland may just be another duty station on paper, but to us, it will always be part of our love story. We’re so thankful for this day, for each other, and for the journey ahead.

Our Story

Brighton Parks Club House

12103 Upper Waterford Dr.

Our celebration will be held at the Brighton Parks Clubhouse, right in the heart of James’s grandmother’s neighborhood. We’re keeping things simple and meaningful — more like a family gathering than a formal reception. The clubhouse’s cozy atmosphere and neighborhood charm make it the perfect spot to share good food, laughter, and love.

The Reception

Located in Bakersfield, within 2.2 miles of California State University, Bakersfield and 4.5 miles of Buck Owens' Crystal Palace, Home2 Suites Bakersfield provides accommodations with an outdoor swimming pool and free WiFi throughout the property as well as free private parking for guests who drive. The property is around 5.3 miles from Fox Theater, 5.4 miles from Buena Vista Museum of Natural History and 5.4 miles from Rabobank Theater And Convention Center. Guests can have a drink at the snack bar. All rooms at the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV with cable channels and a kitchenette. All guest rooms at Home2 Suites Bakersfield feature air conditioning and a desk. The accommodation offers a buffet or American breakfast. Languages spoken at the 24-hour front desk include English and Spanish. Bakersfield Amtrak Station is 5.8 miles from Home2 Suites Bakersfield, while Kern County Raceway Park is 14 miles away. Meadows Field Airport is 6.8 miles from the property.

Home2 Suites by Hilton Bakersfield

Rabobank Arena, Theater &amp; Convention Center is less than 1 mile from this hotel in Bakersfield, California. It features the Farmacy Café and Brimstone Bar and rooms include free Wi-Fi. These modern style guest rooms at Padre Hotel feature designer head boards. Each includes 32-inch flat-screen cable TVs or larger and iPod docking stations. Dining options include the Brimstone Bar which boasts hardwood floors, billiards and a stamped tin ceiling. Live piano music can be heard at the Prospect Bar. Guests can also relax on the rooftop deck of the Prairie Fire, an outdoor patio bar. The Crystal Palace and Museum are 1.4 miles from the Hotel Padre. The hotel is within walking distance from Fox Theater.

James & Esther

James & Esther

J&E

Wedding Celebration