The story of exactly how Alec and Mackenzie met, will differ greatly depending on which half you ask. Don't believe it? Try us - you'll see. Regardless of the exact details, We met senior year of high school at La Costa Canyon. We went the entire 3 years without a single class together and met through our best friends. You could say we saved the best for last because within the last year of school we met and finally had a class together in the last semester. And if we are being completely honest, had it not been for Alec, Mackenzie would not have gotten through that class. Let's just say AP Econ was one of the worst for her! The date listed above marks the first time Alec built up enough courage to text Mackenzie. To which immediately after he threw his phone on the bed and ran away. Back then, Mackenzie was a fab texter so of course she responded right away. You could say the rest is history from this point, but that is no fun. Exactly one month later, which was full of convincing Mackenzie that Alec was in to her and not her friend, we became "official" boyfriend and girlfriend. True or false - December 12, 2012 was chosen by Alec as their anniversary for an easy-to-remember, unforgettable date? One will never know... but it is true that he hasn't once yet forgotten an anniversary - even 7 years later. While almost everyone already knows, we both went to SDSU together. But despite what everyone thinks, we actually met after college applications were done and submitted. As with everything else in our relationship, it was just meant to be. SDSU became our place, our home, where we grew as individuals and together as a couple, every day. We've conquered the ups and downs of life, only because we have each other. Feel free to scroll down to read a brief summary of what we've experience since we met 7 years ago.

Since high school, (enter best man) we dove head first in to college life at SDSU; dorm life & all. Against the advice of almost everyone, we 'stayed together.' Within the first month, we both rushed Greek life. Mackenzie had a quick dabble in a sorority, then headed back to her roots & took on club volleyball instead (Enter 2 bridesmaids). Alec took the lead in his fraternity, PIKE (Enter 4 groomsmen). With one major change for Mackenzie and 3 years of tailgates, basketball games, frat parties, formals, & banquets, we became a power couple. All ego aside, we were an unbeatable team in life & at the beer pong table. Alec served as PIKE's internal Vice President, traveled representing the fraternity & Mackenzie earned a chance to play for the University's team. Without sacrifice of academics the opportunity to study abroad surfaced. With lots of planning and budgeting, we headed across to Europe fall of our senior year. Following 3 cities in Spain and 6 cities in Italy, we landed in Glasgow, Scotland for studies at Strathclyde University. (Enter 1 bridesmaid & 1 groomsmen). Before home we hit the highlands of Scotland, Paris, Dublin, London, Berlin, Munich & Amsterdam. There truly is no way to put in to words what our time abroad means to us. Some of what & who we encountered can be found under the photos tab, but the memories made were some of the best. There is not a day that goes by where we don't miss or reflect on our travels. It goes without saying that the 'travel bug' bit us both and we will be back. Then comes graduation number 2 with a B.S. in Business Administration & a B.A. in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. For the first time in 5 years we started a huge chapter in two different places. Alec started with Gallo in Orange County & Mackenzie in San Francisco for grad school. With one goal & many unknowns, 2 years past & here we are. Back together in LA prepping for the wedding & yet another graduation for Mackenzie's Doctorate.

If you ask Mackenzie, she’ll tell you for the past couple of years when asked the engagement question she would reply “I'm ready to get engaged whenever Alec asks, I’m ready when he’s ready.” Even though Mackenzie was ready, she knew the reality of balancing working, graduate school, living in different cities & potentially planning a wedding would be tough for them to handle and therefore, she believed Alec would probably wait until graduation before getting engaged. If you ask Alec, he’ll tell you this is exactly what his plan was. But during the long difficult first year long distance he came to understand what Mackenzie truly meant to him. For him, Mackenzie embodied love, happiness, joy, glee, & strength. He knew then he was ready, so he began saving and crafting a plan. In the summer of 2018 Alec told his family and his best friends that Mackenzie was the one and he was ready to propose. In July, he called her parents to tell them he loved their daughter more than anything in the world, and with their permission he wanted to ask for her hand in marriage. After what seemed like enough hours of researching diamonds for Alec to receive his own graduate degree in gemology, he picked the one. His plan was hatched out of an idea to propose at J Vineyards in Northern California during a week vacation we were taking together to visit wineries near where Mackenzie lived. J Vineyards had been our “special celebration” wine ever since we popped a bottle to celebrate Alec receiving a job offer with Gallo and Mackenzie getting accepted into graduate school. So naturally, J would be the perfect location to propose at. Alec called the winery and told them his plan and Operation “Pop the Question” was born. Alec wanted the girl of his dreams to have the engagement of her dreams. Through his detective work, Alec knew Mackenzie really wanted him to propose in a private setting and ideally have some of their family nearby to celebrate with them after the proposal.

So Alec called both of our families and explained that it would mean the world to both of us if they could fly up to Northern California and surprise Mackenzie right after he popped the question. On August 11th 2018 when Mackenzie was getting ready for the second day of wine tasting, two of her perfectly manicured nails that her mom had conspicuously forced her to get popped off, including her left ring finger. Knowing the cardinal rule of “thou shalt not propose unless his lady hath received a manicure,” Alec had to think on his feet to solve this potentially massive issue. So he secretly slipped the two nails in his pocket along with the ring and set off for the day. Later that day we went to CVS to get “allergy medication” and pick up some nail glue to glue her nails back on. After touring a few wineries in Sonoma and having to cut themselves off before the last winery of the day, we arrived at J only to be told their table that we had reserved wasn’t quite ready yet and we could wait in the vineyard out front of the winery. Alec took Mackenzie’s hand and led her into the vineyard where a bottle of champagne, champagne flutes, flowers and a hidden photographer were set up and waiting for us. Confused, Mackenzie asked if the champagne and flowers were for them. Alec replied that he hadn’t taken her to this winery by chance but because this was the winery that meant so much to them in all of their celebrations from years’ passed and that there was one more thing that he wanted to celebrate. He then got down on one knee, pulled out a little box, opened it, and asked her to marry him. After initially saying “no this can’t be really happening” Mackenzie said yes! A few minutes later after taking pictures and living in the moment, Alec explained he had one more surprise for her. At that moment our family members popped out from around the corner and joined us in the vineyard to celebrate our engagement.

What ever the world has to offer, we are open to it. Right now, there is no set plan other than loving, living, and experiencing every second of life. As long as we are together, we will be happy. One thing we do know, is Alec will continue to sell and enjoy wine & spirits, and Mackenzie will continue to be your gal for any hearing or balance needs.