We're getting married!

The story goes a boy from the Island and a girl from the Rez met in Portland back in 2012 and been in love ever since. Lafaele Togia also known as Ralph or Rafe was born in Pago Pago, American Samoa in 1992 and raised by his parents, Melaina Pone and Maluelue Pone. He spent his childhood in between Western Samoa and American Samoa. In 2010 he moved to Oregon to live with his family in Portland. It was here he would spend his high school years and beyond, eventually finding the local Oregon Sturgeons rugby team to join. Amanda Squiemphen-Yazzie also known as Manta was born in Portland, Oregon to Priscilla Squiemphen-Yazzie and Edison Yazzie and was raised in Warm Springs, Oregon on her families ranch. In 2011, she moved to Portland to pursue college and eventually joined her sister to watch some Oregon Sturgeon rugby games. It was here Amanda and Ralph met. They started dating on May 27, 2012 and continued to celebrate that day every year. They spent their 5 year anniversary in Lincoln City, Oregon where they had a picnic at Lost Creek State Park, it was here that Ralph proposed to Amanda just months before she would graduate with her Associates Degree. It was agreed that finishing school would be a priority before officially getting married, so Amanda went on to get her Bachelors and Masters degrees while Ralph grew in his role with Vancouver Paving. Now, 2024 has come and they're thrilled to be able to officially celebrate their wedding day surrounded with those they love! Together Lafaele and Amanda spend their time staying as active as time allows, they enjoy playing and coaching volleyball, taking photos, supporting one another's endeavors and exploring this world as much as they can!