In fair Palo Alto, where we lay our scene, two star-crossed lovers met beneath a heat lamp’s glow on a cold November night. The place was The Patio, a humble tavern of mirth and merriment. It was there that Owen, with a heart full of courage and a pint of liquid confidence, ventured to ask Jasmine for her number. Thus began a tale of love destined to outshine the stars.

From their first encounters, it was clear their hearts beat in harmony. The two embraced adventures most would consider the domain of Greek epics. Backpacking through misty trails, horseback riding under golden skies, and even boxing—though Cupid's arrows struck harder than any punch ever landed. Each odyssey brought them closer, stitching their hearts with threads of laughter, sweat, and shared joy.

Then came the years of the plague—or, as modern bards call it, COVID. While the world slowed, their love raced ahead with the pace of a galloping wildebeest. Within six moons, they had made a home together and welcomed a noble Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy into their lives. Brego, named for a steed of Middle-earth, quickly became the third of their family. Though Brego possessed valor worthy of his namesake, his curiosity often led to misadventures, from eating copious amounts of goose droppings to engaging in an ill-advised bout with a coyote. Through it all, Jasmine and Owen stood as steadfast caretakers, their bond fortified by these trials.

The winds of fortune carried the trio to Sacramento, a land kissed by the waters of the American River. There, Owen pursued the teachings of the law with stalwart determination. Jasmine, our heroine, flung aside the adage of moving: “Wisely and slow - They stumble that run fast.” Rather, she sprinted ahead in the ever-advancing realm of technology and, keeping with her swift disposition, mustered a new guild of Sacramento track and field athletes to compete across the country.

And then, on a deliciously warm evening deep in the savannah of Kenya’s Meru National Park, the pinnacle of their love story unfolded. Owen, unbeknownst to Turkish and African authorities, miraculously maneuvered a ring into his pocket, knelt before Jasmine and asked her to be his wife. Jasmine roared a resounding yes, and even the lions—majestic rulers of the wild—were jealous of his prize.

And so, dear friends, this is but a glimpse of their tale—a love story filled with adventure, laughter, and the occasional goose-poop-induced vet visit. Now, as they prepare to vow themselves to one another forever, they invite you to witness the next chapter of their epic. For theirs is a love which, like Brego on a scent trail, is unstoppable.

Wedding Party