Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Wedding

"When did you know you wanted to marry Zeke?" my aunt asked me almost a year ago now... I had to think about it for a minute, but later that night I approached her because I remembered. I remembered the day in 2013 that I knew I wanted to marry Zeke. It was 2 years after we started dating in 2011 and (I didn't know at the time) would be 3.5 years before we would get engaged in 2017. The time in our relationship leading up to the moment I "knew" I would marry Zeke had been full of long distance communication, thousands of miles of travel, a Masters degree that Zeke completed in England, followed by a year-long humanitarian deployment for him in South Sudan, and the very start of his Medical School career in Arkansas. I had wondered for two years whether or not Zeke and I were supposed to be together forever. He had grown up in Kenya, East Africa. I had always lived in a small town in California. We came from two entirely different backgrounds, but what kept us together was what had initially drawn me to him. He loved Jesus and he was passionately pursuing Him in the darkest places of the world. When I first saw him, he was speaking at church in California before leaving to work for a second time in a refugee camp in South Sudan. I was enamored with the idea of working overseas and here was a guy who was actually doing it because he loved Jesus! How he came around to picking me... I'm still not entirely sure. But back to when "I knew." It was the week of our two year anniversary and I had made a weekend trip to visit him in Arkansas. We had had a good trip overall, but I just wasn't quite "sure" if I was up for the difficulty of the whole medical school and overseas thing. As we were saying goodbye at the airport he hugged me and said, "I love you so much, but this (medicine) is my sacrifice to Jesus. I'm doing this for Him. I love you, but if it comes down to choosing between you and Him, then I choose Him." That was it. I had always said, "I want to be with a man who loves Jesus more than me." And here he was... a man who intentionally and tangibly was loving Jesus and was willing to give up the girl he already said he would marry if it jeopardized his walk with God. It kind of reminds me of Abraham with Isaac. It was the willingness to let me go that demonstrated the faithfulness to what he believed God has called him to do. He had loved me so well until that point, and continues to do so, but not more than he loves Jesus. That is the kind of man that I am so excited and privileged to spend the rest of my life with.In May, Zeke will be graduating from medical school and will start General Surgery training. I currently work as a pediatric cardiovascular ICU nurse. Our vision and purpose is to work in the developing world upon completion of Zeke's training. It is our desire to be at the spear tip of human suffering, and we eagerly anticipate being able to do so together in some small corner of world. We pray that in some way we may be able to alleviate suffering in the name of the Great Healer. Thank you for joining us on our journey. We look forward to seeing you in May!

Our Story

Ceremony and Reception

Details

We are so excited to have you join us! Here are some details that may be helpful:- Reception will be outside at the same church location as the ceremony-The Well at 1290 East Grand Ave, Ojai, CA-Weather can be unpredictable in late May! It may be scorching or you may need a jacket... it depends on whether "June Gloom" decides to set in early or not!-Close cities to stay in are Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, or Carpinteria (if you like the beach)-We expect all guests to attempt to dance to at least one song. Yes, that includes you.

Photos

Wedding Party

Q + A

Registry

Travel

Cruise around the streets, trails, beaches, and boulevards of Santa Barbara to discover the city's famous sights and often-overlooked corners on a comfortable bike. With your choice of mountain, road, electric, hybrid, or beach cruiser bike, there's no limit to the type of riding you can enjoy.
Head to downtown Santa Barbara to get fitted with your bike rental for the day or opt for convenient delivery, directly to your centrally located hotel. After experienced staff help you adjust the seat and handlebars, get some tips on places to check out around town and pedal off to do some exploring on 2 wheels.
You might bump over the wide wooden planks of Stearn's Wharf on a beach cruiser, blast down the dedicated bike lanes of State Street, or reach far flung destinations like Montecito with the convenience of a electric bike. For those who want to escape the city's bustle, choose the knobby tires and beefy suspension of a mountain bike and head to the Santa Yynez Mountains where you can wind down dusty trails looking for lofty views of the Pacific Ocean.
When your time's nearly up, return to your hotel and enjoy hassle-free pickup or make your way to the rental office to drop off your ride in person.

Full-Day Bicycle Rental

With rolling coastal mountains to the east and pristine beaches to the west, Santa Barbara is a gem, and its inland wine country is one of the best places in California to sip on fine reds and whites. Stop at 4 elegant wineries to sample their best vintages and varietals, and savor a gourmet picnic lunch in a vineyard with a view.
After you're picked up from your hotel, settle into a comfy seat in a spacious Mercedez-Benz Sprinter with a tall roof and large viewing windows. Chat with your guides, both Level 1 sommeliers, and listen as they share information about the Santa Barbara winemaking community.
Stop at 4 hand-selected wineries known for their quality wines and excellent service, comparing tasting notes with your guides and discussing viticulture with the staff at each estate. Once you've worked up an appetite, sit down to an elevated wine country picnic at a winery with a sweeping vineyard view. Savor artisan sandwiches on focaccia bread along with tasty sides like salads, gourmet olives, roasted nuts, kettle chips, and brownies before you hop back in the van to continue your tasting tour.

Full-Day Classic Wine Tour with Picnic Lunch

Grab a paddle and explore the calm waters, quiet marinas, and sandy beaches of Santa Barbra on a stand-up paddleboard. Ideal for beginners looking to try a new sport or experienced boarders who want to hone their skills, this active excursion is perfect for anyone looking for a SoCal adventure.
Kick off your excursion at your choice of waterfront locales sprinkled around Santa Barbar's sunny shores. With convenient delivery and pickup services, you can start your day near the unspoiled coast at Carpinteria State Park, below the bustling boardwalk of Stearns Wharf, or on strips of golden sand at places like Butterfly Beach. Depending on the board you've chosen, you can head out on your own or team up with friends on Megalodon, a 15-foot (4.5-m) beast of a paddleboard designed to hold up to 6 paddlers at one time.
Once you're out on the water, enjoy stunning views of the Santa Ynez Mountains, admire the gleaming hulls of sleek yachts at anchor in the harbor, and keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife including buoy-bound seals and playful dolphins. If you're unsure of where to go, get tips on the best routes from experienced staff happy to help you make the most of your day on the water.

Laila + Zeke

Laila + Zeke

Registry

We’re extremely grateful to have so much love in our life! We hope to spread that love a little further with our registry. For each gift purchased through the links below, The Knot will donate to Save the Children.