When Nina met a fellow Stanford-bound San Diegan her senior year of high school, she thought it was innocent enough to respond to his question of 'what boys from the Stanford Class of 2016 Facebook group are cute?' Her answer was easy: "there's this Australian named Chris Barber." Little did she know that this boy, Jonathan, went home and facebook messaged Chris asking him the same question. Chris responded with Nina's name. At that, Jonathan revealed the mutual attraction and with an unofficial tinder match pre-tinder, a long summer of non-stop imessaging began. With the whirlwind of college and life, it was another year before Chris and Nina finally found themselves in a relationship. Fast forward 6 years and Chris proposed to Nina this past July at her favorite place on Earth, Lake Chautaqua. 6 years together have brought more with them than can ever be captured in a story, but we're so unbelievably grateful to have a relationship filled with love, growth, play, care, joy, and peace. As we officially kick off our married life together, we're grateful to count you as someone special in our lives to honor and celebrate with.

A couple months into planning a big California wedding, we realized that it just didn't feel like us. We're quality time people who prefer experiences over gifts, laser tag and board games with our best friends over extravagant parties, and being in nature over being in ballrooms. After a lot of contemplating and some very supportive parents, family and friends we decided that we wanted to live our dream of getting married in Hawaii while getting to enjoy nature, time, and play with those we love. We know that this change will make it harder for some people to get there, and impossible for others. Here is a poem to express our feelings: "Your invitation is sent with care And we thought it important to share That though your presence is much desired It is by no means required: For we know it's so soon you might be busy Or the logistics and cost might make you dizzy So whatever you choose do, Know we have so much love for you And total understanding too Wherever in the world you are when 2020 arrives, We're so grateful to have you in our lives!"