Our story actually started in 1984. Ventura County Fire Department had just hired two of the most outstanding firemen in its history, Kevin Davis and Raymond Lambert. They were academy mates, co-workers, and then lifelong friends. I imagine they never would have guessed in their wildest dreams that their friendship would eventually turn out this way. Because of that friendship Rachel and I grew up together and spent many days at the fire station, at super bowl parties, and at our parent’s houses together. Eventually we both grew up and life took us in different directions. I moved away, went to college in Monterey, and eventually ended up working in the bay area while living up and down the state of California. Rachel made the smart choice and stayed here in Ventura County and put herself through nursing school and became a nurse at Los Robles. I eventually wised up, was hired by Ventura County Fire Department, and made my way back home.

Both Rachel and I grew up in religious families and believe that God has his timing and a plan for us all. It was at this time in our lives when we both felt unsure of quite what that plan was, God decided to show us. One day while I was doing my heroic fireman thing I ended up at Los Robles Hospital. I thank God Rachel recognized me and followed me out to the ambulance bay. As she will tell you, when she called out to me I was clearly in a bad mood and ready for an argument with a nurse. Well, we didn’t argue, and after so many years living our own lives we reconnected that day at the hospital. A dinner to catch up between two old friends soon turned into another dinner. Then a walk along the beach. Then a planned trip to Hawaii. A year and a half later I found myself down on my knee asking my best friend to do me the honor of sharing the rest of our lives together. I thank God, again, she said yes. You all have such meaning to our lives, now we are asking you to share in this moment with us as we start the next chapter of our lives together.

1 Corinthians 13:13 — “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”