As one of the many tasks of our wedding, Jeanette has charged me, dare I say accosted me, into writing the story below. Some of the details may be factual, others may be not factual, it is up to the reader to decide.

It was the beginning of our medical school careers. There we were, standing in the courtyard, mingling with our new classmates. Between the awkward ice breakers and small talk, my vision was blinded by a ray of the sunlight shining directly over one girl's head. What I mean is I looked over and I saw the girl who would one day be my future wife.

Now like every story you've read, it wasn't easy. I mean she didn't make it easy. I've never seen a girl run away so quickly from the offer of a cup of coffee. I mean she practically sprinted. But I've jumped too far forward. Let me give you more backstory.

After our ill fated, and little remembered (so she told me) meeting that day, I had messaged our classmates to ask if anyone would be willing to run with me. Out of all the people in the class, she responded. She was the only one to respond. Awkward. So there I was, 5:30 a.m. in the morning, watching my breath well up into the faintly lit sky when Jeanette Fong ran out to greet me. We started slow, but as the novice runner, I was out of breath by the first mile. Not to be outdone or embarrassed, I kept running, but eventually we had to stop. I was sweating more from the embarrassment than the run. I thought things were going great, she was nice; we had some nice small talk. Why not continue this over a cup of coffee? Whats that? I was talking to myself...

Fast forward, it was the second month of medical school. I was studying hard trying to learn the anatomy of the leg. Guess who drops by? None other than future bride to be. She needed help. I looked at the computer clock, 6 p.m.? What the heck. So we sat there studying together until she got it. I couldn't help myself then, I had to ask, "You know this would be done better over a cup of coffee." She looked at me and paused before speaking " Nope I'm okay." Then she left.

So it went. This game of cat and mouse. Almost in a comical Tom and Jerry fashion. Guess who was the cat?

As the months went by, it was always the same as before. We would hang out and have a great time. But there was always this barrier between us, one that could not be surmounted. So I invented a game. A game where I would pick restaurants we were interested in. Just the two of us. It was a date clearly, but she refused to admit it.

Her friends were asking about me by then. " Who was the guy who's always finding you in the library." "Is he following you?" "Does he like you?" She would always keep a straight face and say no.

We ran some more times after that, once across the the World War II Memorial. The city behind us bathed us in its warm light, illuminating the monument and her face. She looked out to the Tidal Basin and said "You know, I can't believe this is all here, in my backyard, and I get to experience it everyday." She was beautiful. And if this wasn't a date, I don't know what it was.

Winter break had come and she went home to California. I facetimed her every day to talk to her, because I missed hanging out with her. When she flew back the next day to Washington D.C. I was there to pick her up with flowers.

Then she took me on an adventure of a lifetime. One that brought us together, has led us around the world and then moving across the country. No matter where I am, as long as I am with her, I will be home. I will always be happy.

I knew, when I saw her running gleefully through the Great Falls Trail one day, and I chasing after her. The laughter and the joy, me always looking forward to what was around the next bend, her leading me to an adventure of a lifetime; this lifetime. So I asked her to marry me, and this time she said yes.

J&J

Wedding Day

5:30 PM

Wedding

Reception