We'll begin this story with some background prior to their meeting:

Sara is technically a Colorado native, but she mostly grew up near the Pacific Ocean in Southern California. An only child, her home included Mother, Father, and Grandpa Don. In school, she definitely preferred English and History over the hard sciences, and loved being a member of the school's Color Guard team during her entire High School career.

After graduating in 2015, she enrolled at the University of New Mexico, living in Albuquerque with her Aunt Dee during the school year- As it turns out, her school choice was a significant decision leading to big life changes.

In contrast, Tyler had been an Albuquerque native from day one. His household included his Mom, Dad and Sister (Sami). During High School he studied the hard sciences, and participated in Cross Country (reinforcing his love of the great outdoors).

In 2015, Tyler also started his college career at UNM, and began crossing paths with a certain bubbly girl from LA. They shared interests in Science Fiction and Dungeons and Dragons, and both joined the same D & D group- Another significant decision for both of them.

To fulfill some needed Physical Education credits, Sara signed up for a fencing class, and lo and behold, there was Tyler. Coincidence, or the result of careful planning? We may never know...

In the spring of 2019, both Sara and Tyler collected their diplomas. Tyler remained in Albuquerque while Sara returned home to LA. Our story could have ended there, but Sara's parents had some surprising news-

It seemed Dad was retiring, and her parents were returning to Colorado.

Sara had visited Colorado over the years to see her Grandma Barb Watson, but had no real ties to the Centennial State. During talks about the future, Sara informed her parents "Colorado is too cold for me, I'm exploring other options!" With this decision, she began her search to find a new home.

Reviewing the places she knew well, she decided Albuquerque offered the best balance of climate, living expenses, and overall familiarity. She made no mention of handsome young engineers, but clearly one Tyler Siska also factored into her decision.

Parents rarely know all aspects of their children's lives, and I can report little of Sara's activities after she returned to Albuquerque. I know she reconnected with her D & D group and continued her Starbucks career, but little else was reported during her (infrequent) phone calls.

Thanks to conversations with her Aunt, I did discover there was a certain young man she had "taken a shine to." Bringing up the topic with Sara, I initially encountered a rather formidable stone wall. However, with the passage of time, I learned more about her potential beau, and she eventually admitted that "Yes, I have a boyfriend."

Over the past four years, Sara and Tyler have spent much time together, and have made several trips to Denver allowing us to "take the measure of the man."

As those on the Siska side know, Tyler plans with care and builds for his future. Since graduating college, he has laid a solid life foundation, establishing a promising career path and purchasing his first house. This June, he will merge his future with Sara's, and I couldn't be happier for the two of them.

-Dave Skinner with some details provided by his sister Dee

T&S

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception