The start of a new adventure!

Elizabeth drags Giancarla and Racine to a dinner hosted by John and Gabe. John cooks meat. Giancarla and Racine are vegetarians at the time. John graciously offers to whip up a vegetarian alternative. It is love at first bite. (Just kidding...it takes John 5 more years to convince Giancarla to date him.)

John and Giancarla went to see what they think is a lighthearted, animated film about an aging salesman. It turns out to be a dark tale about a depressed, philandering sociopath. In shock and dismay, they find their way to the nearest cafe. Dinner, drinks, and merriment ensue. Total disaster is averted. (They continue to pick terrible movies to see together to this day!)

Seduced by John's super cool new hairdo, coiffed facial topiary, and the sweet sounds of his pedal steel, Giancarla falls gracefully into his arms during the intermission of one of Blue Steel's now legendary Hometown BBQ shows.

John puts the ring in his pocket for a long day hike in Yosemite National Park. After hours of high altitude, dehydration, and excessive sun exposure, John finally decides to propose. So at the very top of Yosemite point, looking out over Yosemite Valley and Half Dome, Giancarla says yes!