Our journey has been anything but a straight line. Our story is a long, twisted tale of love that started out as friendship, but grew into something much more special and rare. Our love is similar to a grapevine; and just like a grapevine, our story wound its way through the seasons…

Both love and grapevine require a delicate, intricate relationship with time, growth, and care. Both begin as something small, almost unremarkable—a seed planted in soil. Shaped and influenced by the terroir of family, with attention and the proper conditions, roots begin to take hold beneath the surface.

We met as friends over a quarter century ago in 1999, while each still married to other people. Over the following decade, we and our respective families came together. They intertwined with shared experiences: bbq’s, trips, holidays, and birthday celebrations. We watched each other’s children grow, and established a deep respect and caring for one another that strengthened over time.

Both vine and love flourish through interdependence, winding and twisting in unexpected ways, finding strength in their attachments. They are both defined by their tenacity. A grapevine can weather drought, poor soil, even harsh pruning, yet it continues to grow more resilient for its challenges. Love is no different. When tested by hardships, misunderstandings, or time itself, true love becomes more robust, its roots deeper, its growth more vigorous.

Something new blossomed between us. What started out as the sweet juice of friendship turned into the wine of romantic love. We dated for years between 2012 and 2016. However, The conditions were not right. The wine our love produced was too young. The vines needed time to grow in order to produce a fruit that was more complex and full-bodied. Brian transplanted to Ventura, and we were separated for what seemed a lifetime.

Grapes are a testament to the health of the vine, just as the fruits of love—understanding, commitment, joy—are signs of its maturity.

The summer of 2021 finds us reunited. The previous five years of cellaring have made for a smoother blending of the two lovers. In March 2023, Tami agrees to come over the literal Grapevine, and joins Brian in Ventura, while simultaneously starting a new career. The coastal climate proved to be beneficial, and it has created an ideal atmosphere where our love flourished. Then, on August 4, 2023, Tami agreed to be Brian’s wife, which leads us to this joyous wedding event. After long last comes the harvest, the fruition of patience and labor. We are thrilled to have you all join us in our harvest celebration. We look forward to seeing what vintages our love produces…

Where To Stay

Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach, an IHG Hotel

Ventura Beach RV Resort

VRBO

AirBNB