We are thrilled to share our happy news that after 3 years of waiting out pandemic related delays, we were married in a small ceremony at San Francisco City Hall on April 4, 2023. We're excited to share our story with you, from how we met to when we said I Do! Enjoy the site and the photos from our wedding day! Visit it for details about our upcoming wedding reception, and be sure to RSVP!

Where did a South African guy and a California girl find each other? In the middle of Idaho, of course! Thank you, Sun Valley Music Festival. Mx was dancing with a traveling production of Stravinsky's Firebird on tour in the US, and Dawn was in her first season with the festival, working as Artist Liaison. When she saw the group's roster of names, "Mxolisi" stood out, as she didn't have the faintest idea how to pronounce it, let alone if the person was male or female! They met when Dawn arrived to shuttle the dancers from their hotel to their first warm-up at the concert Pavilion. She noticed his wide-eyed observations of everything around him, sincere gratitude and adorable dimples. He noticed her warm and care-taking personality, her attention to detail and her big, brown eyes. In 5 short days, they became friends. The tour moved on, but Dawn and Mx kept in touch.

How did that South African guy and California girl keep their relationship going and growing? By texting, talking, and video calling, of course! Thank you, WhatsApp. Mx and Dawn got very good at waking up early and staying up late in order to be in regular contact across their 9 hour time difference. 6am wake-up calls and 11pm video calls became their norm. For 2 years ... and then, for another 3 more, unanticipated years ... They were also able to visit each other in their home countries several times between 2017 and 2019. Mx adopted Dawn's love of Christmas time, enjoying two Christmases together in California. He also had his first turkey for Thanksgiving, and experienced his first snow during a February in Tahoe. Dawn tried tripe, pap, and chakalaka on her visits to Durban (and loved them!). Her favorite touristy thing to do in South Africa became looking for Zulu beaded jewelry, clothing, and accessories. She barely survived the 90% humidity of visits during Durban summer months. She looks forward to their next trip to SA during the milder winter months.

On December 31, 2019, they said goodbye at SFO after Mx's month-long visit to the Bay Area. He was scheduled for his visa interview in Durban in March 2020, would be back to California shortly thereafter, and wedding plans were in the making for May 2020! (insert "record scratch" sound effect here) We all know what happened in March 2020. Let's not talk about it. And as most of you know, and many of you have encouraged, we have enough material for a Hollywood blockbuster. (Anyone know any screenwriters?). There are many stories to tell about the time period between March 2020 and March 2023 when Mx finally returned to the US. Fast forward through the virus that shall not be named, a cancelled wedding, visa nightmares, an unabridged birth certificate that may never come to fruition, and all that didn't go our way (there's so much). We made it through to the other side. Our love persevered and grew. We developed new levels of compassion and respect for each other. Thank you, strength and patience. And thank you to our family and friends for all of your support and encouragement through the wait. Thankfully, the wait is over. And we are together, in love, and happily married, AT LAST!