To have and to hold

Gianna and Maurice met as children through a family friend. Countless Easter egg hunts, barbecue nights, and sleepovers later, Maurice and Gianna realized they were destined for more. Upon graduating college, they decided it was time to take their relationship from best friends to something more. For the first year, their relationship was long distance as Gianna taught second grade in Los Angeles and Maurice worked with the San Diego Sheriff's Department. Realizing their relationship was meant to be, Gianna moved back down to San Diego, and the rest is history. In the words of many family and friends who have known Gianna and Maurice: "Finally!" Little children who would run around and play make believe, celebrate each other's successes through life, and be there for each other through thick and thin, now destined to be husband and wife.

Gianna would've said yes if Maurice had asked her on their couch while eating leftovers, but Maurice knew that Disneyland was Gianna's favorite place. On December 8th, during Gianna's birthday celebration at Disneyland, Maurice got down on one knee in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle. It wasn't until after Gianna said, "YES!" that they both realized a crowd had formed, cheering and clapping them on in their special moment! The magic of Disney proved true during this magical moment with Mickey.

The Year 2000: Gianna and Maurice first met when the Willis family hosted their annual Easter egg hunt, Gianna and Maurice were both only 5-years-old! The Year 2010: Through high school relationships, drama, sports, marching band, and dances...Maurice and Gianna were there for each other through it all. June 9th, 2017: Gianna and Maurice decided to become an official couple, throwing off many who knew them as best friends, and NOT surprising many others as they had placed bets on when they would start dating. December 8th, 2019: The moment Gianna said, "YES!" - a magical proposal in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle. May 29th, 2022: Joined as one, Maurice and Gianna can't wait to say, "I do!"