While our story begins in 2021, its prelude happens much earlier...

In 2017 when Kamele's younger sister, Lauren, was Paul's student, she tried to persuade them to meet. Lauren, and her friend Lei (another of his students), seemed to stop at nothing to get them together. Kamele and Paul were at much different points in their lives, so nothing came of it. Fate, however, wouldn't be stymied.

Four years later, in May of 2021, determined and resolute, fate gave them just a bit of nudge. Kamele was home for a couple months from her yacht gig on the East Coast and Paul was trying to figure out how to persuade his students to turn their cameras on during covid. They both downloaded Bumble (...incredibly at the same time) and fate finally had its shot. Just shortly after opening their accounts, Kamele's and Paul's paths crossed again, and this time, they decided to meet fate halfway. Kamele took the first step (Bumble policy): "Party wave sometime?" she asked. And the stage was set.

On May 4th, they paddled out on an absolutely stunning evening at Tonggs-- a surf spot at the foot of Lē'ahi just outside Waikīkī. They scored beautiful surf that evening, just as the sun set, sharing laughs, stories and waves. They spent the next 32 days together, before Kamele's surf trip in Mexico with her girls and Paul's Alaska trip with his mom.

The next time they met was on June 16th, where they spent the day on the North Shore, shared a gorgeous Mokuleia sunset, Thai food and a couple Hawaiian Sun juices (Kamele's favorite Passion Orange & Paul's favorite Guava Nectar) and 3 very special words: "I Love You". And that was only the beginning.

It's true. Kamele and Paul quickly jumped into sharing many beautiful life adventures together, including roadtripping twice on the California coast and the Pacific Northwest, short getaways to Miami and Maui, and of course, countless hikes and surf sessions in their own backyard, all of which have been accompanied by a shared love of food, nature, music, dogs, friends and family.

On December 17th, 2022, after receiving Kamele's parents' blessing, Paul proposed to Kamele in a way he knew she'd love. All a surprise to Kamele, Paul drove them back to the shores of Mokuleia, for early morning skydiving, followed by an amazing massage in Waikīkī and an oceanfront staycation at Kaimana Beach Hotel, just a few steps from Tonggs. That night, they walked back down the coast to where they first met. With a bottle of wine and a little music, and with Christmas lights hanging from above--illuminating the waves as they crashed ashore--Paul asked Kamele if she'd party wave with him for the rest of their lives. She said, "Yes. I'd love to."

~~~

As our story continues to unfold, we'd like to thank all those who have supported and loved us, contributing the positive energy we need to always see the good, keep the laughter flowing (as well as the wine) and keep our eyes peeled for the next party wave on the horizon.

Please join us on our "party wave" as we celebrate our wedding day on June 29th, 2024 at the Elk's Lodge in Waikīkī (yes, it's just a few steps from where we met, where we had our first date and where we got engaged). You're part of the story now, and we can't wait to see you!

Peace & Love!

~ Kamele & Paul