Meet Gabriela’s parents, Mario “Oso” Mendez and Michele Aurand. Mario and Michele first met at a small restaurant in Spokane called "Dos Amigos", where their story began with Mario asking Michele if she wanted to dance. Though Mario won’t be able to attend his daughter’s wedding in person, he’ll be watching proudly from his home in Mexico. While life’s circumstances have kept him physically distant at times, Mario has always maintained a meaningful relationship with Gabby and her family. Gabby cherishes their bond and makes the effort to visit him regularly, keeping their connection strong. Michele has been a constant force in Gabriela’s life—guiding her, supporting her, and shaping the incredible woman she is today. Through her example, Michele taught Gabby how to treat others with kindness, how to care for herself with confidence, and how to walk through life with compassion and strength. At the wedding, Michele will walk her daughter down the aisle—a beautiful symbol of their unbreakable bond and the journey they’ve taken together.

Meet Losi Pilimai (pronounced Lo-see), Gabriela’s Bonus Dad. Losi entered Gabby’s life when she was just 9 years old, and from that moment on, he’s been a steady, loving, and supportive presence. He stepped into the role of Bonus Dad with helping care for the family, encouraging Gabby in all her dreams, and teaching her to cook family meals. He patiently helped her master parking *without* a backup camera (over and over again until it was perfect). He drove 1,625.5 miles from Spokane, Washington, all the way to Lubbock, Texas, just to bring her back home from college.

Meet Gabriela’s younger siblings – Zachary (20), Luka (12), and Emma (10). They each hold a special place in Gabby’s heart, and in their own unique ways, they’ve all helped shape her life with love, laughter, and lots of unforgettable moments. Zachary may be five years younger than Gabby, but he often takes on the “older brother” role, offering steady support and strength when she needs it most. Luka is a creative soul just like his sister. He loves exploring the outdoors, fishing, and drawing—and yes, he’s already a great little chef! Luka’s got that “big brother energy,” too. And then Emma—Gabby’s late-night bestie and constant source of laughter. Whether they’re watching movies in Gabby’s room or just being goofy together, these two share a bond that’s as sweet as it is strong. Together, the three siblings are some of Gabby’s favorite people in the world.

It’s Mochi – the couple’s beloved fur baby! Shortly after Gabby and James began dating, Gabby adopted a little grey kitty from Spok-Animal—and just like that, they became cat parents to Mochi. Affectionately known as "Mo-Mo" or "Mushy", this spunky rascal quickly made herself the center of attention. She’s got a lot of personality: she talks your ear off, insists on snuggles, plays endlessly with her feather toys, and, truth be told, sometimes forgets she’s a cat—because in her mind, she’s definitely human. Mochi’s favorite treat? Ham, of course. She’s sweet, sassy, and full of charm—an adorable addition to Gabby and James’s growing family.

Meet Cecilia and Ben Galluzzo – Gabriela’s beloved grandparents. Cecilia and Ben met in 2006 and have been a strong and loving team ever since. Together, they’ve embraced their roles as grandparents not just to Gabby, but to the entire family—offering guidance, warmth, and unconditional love. Gabby often says that God sent "Papa Ben" to make life a little brighter—and it’s easy to see why. Whether he’s building something by hand, fixing small treasures, sharing his deep connection to Jesus, or baking his famous homemade pizza, Ben brings creativity and joy into every moment. Cecilia, also deeply rooted in her faith, has been a gentle, nurturing presence from the very beginning. In Gabby’s early years, she played a vital role in helping Michele raise her—instilling love, values, and strength that helped shape Gabby into the woman she is today. Together, Cecilia and Ben have shown what it means to love deeply, serve faithfully, and support family through every season.

This is Daniel – lovingly known as Grandpa Dan, Gabriela’s grandfather and Michele’s father. Grandpa Dan has been a fun, wise, and unforgettable presence in Gabby’s life. From childhood adventures at the Spokane County Fair to sharing his famously quirky snack combo—lemons, crackers, and cheese (a sour surprise!)—he’s always brought a unique flavor to her world. Beyond snacks and stories, Grandpa Dan also shared his passions with Gabby, from training German Shepherds to clever cooking hacks in the kitchen. His influence has left a lasting impression, full of life lessons, laughter, and love. He’s more than just a grandfather—he’s been a guide, a teacher, and a cherished part of Gabby’s journey since she was born.

Meet Aunt Madison and Uncle Kevin – two of Gabriela’s biggest supporters. Kevin is Michele’s younger brother, and together with his wife Madison, they’ve played a meaningful role in Gabby’s life. They’ve always admired her creativity and the beautiful, kind spirit that God has blessed her with. Over the years, they’ve offered love, encouragement, and shared plenty of special memories with her. Among those memories are a few fishing trips—something Gabby has come to enjoy thanks to her time with them. Kevin and Madison have been a steady source of joy and support in Gabby’s journey. The couple has four wonderful children: Kaedyn (18), Mya (15), Lily (13), and Calina (12). Kevin also has an older son, Triston Aurand (22). In a special role today, their eldest daughter, Mya, will be standing beside Gabby as one of her bridesmaids, bringing the family connection full circle.

This is Danielle - Gabriela's aunt. She is the younger sister of Michele and the second-oldest sister of Uncle Kevin. Danielle has three children - Makayla (22), a bridesmaid of Gabby's, then Xavier (18), and Sophia (14). All four of them have been part of Gabby's life and brought light and positivity, and support to her.

This is the Hoare Family! Shahnta, known as 'Shannon' to our family, has been part of Gabby's life since she was a year old. Shannon is Gabby's sister from another mister. Together, they share their brother, Zach (20). Shannon has always been very loving, caring, playful, gentle, patient, goofy, and shared laughs when they were younger. Even today! Shannon lives in South Carolina with her husband, Tyler, and their four sons - Jaxson (7), the twins Archi, Nixon (5), and Ozzy (3).

Gabriela has a lot of family!! She even has a great portion of her family in Mexico. It isn't just her father, Mario. She has lots of aunts and uncles, cousins, her grandmother, and her younger siblings. Gabby's father, Mario, has a younger son and daughter - Mario Jr. (6), and Kenya-Natalia (2). Amayrani is the mother of Mario Jr. and Kenya-Natalia and welcomed Gabby to her home. Gabby got to bond with her second family in Mexico in January of 2025 for 2 weeks, learning more Spanish and getting to know her siblings.

The Pilimai Family - Many of them are not pictured. They have been a great part of Gabby's life and her family - They became HER family when she was 9 years old. Each of them - her aunts, uncles, and cousins has cared for and supported her in many things, such as school events, school dances, graduations, birthdays, and so much more.

Meet Heather and Mike – James’s mother and father. Heather and Mike have played a vital role in shaping James into the man he is today. Through years filled with family camping trips, road trip adventures, and holiday celebrations, they created a loving and supportive home where memories were made and values were passed down. Together, they raised James and his sister Katie with care, strength, and a great sense of fun—laying the foundation for the kind, thoughtful, and devoted person James is today. Heather and Mike have already embraced Gabby with open arms, welcoming her into their family with love and warmth.

This is Katie – James’s older sister. Katie has always played a special role in James’s life, being not just a big sister but a true friend and constant companion. From childhood memories to countless hangouts, their bond has been filled with laughter and unforgettable moments. One of the most meaningful milestones they shared was when Katie joined James the day he picked out the engagement ring for Gabriela—a moment of excitement and love. That same day, she shared lunch with the newly engaged couple, marking the start of this next chapter in their lives. Today, Katie stands beside Gabriela as one of her bridesmaids—a reflection of the strong connection she’s built not just with James, but with Gabby too.

Arlene and Bill Colyar, James’s maternal grandparents, have been married for 55 years and have always supported and loved James deeply. They've created lasting memories with him, consistently welcoming family into their home and hosting joyful gatherings. As loving grandparents, they’ve brought warmth and happiness to James’s life — and it looks like Bill and James even share a strong resemblance!

This is Jeff Colyar, James’s uncle and the younger brother of his mother, Heather. Jeff generously opened his home to James, giving him a place to live until he was ready to be on his own. During that time, their bond grew stronger through shared experiences like sports, evening walks, meaningful conversations, and family dinners, building a close and lasting uncle-nephew relationship.

Meet Tom and Kecia, James’s aunt and uncle—Kecia is the older sister of James’s dad. James always enjoys spending time with them in Post Falls, whether it’s watching football games, dog-sitting, or joining in on family gatherings. Tom and Kecia have warmly supported and included both James and Gabby in many of their activities, creating lasting memories together. They welcomed Gabby into their family very quickly, shortly after meeting her. Every once in a while, Kecia would pop in to Hobby Lobby (Where Gabby works as of right now) and chat with her while she shopped for her quilting passion.