We Are Eloping to Italy!

John and I initially met in 2016, three and a half years before we really fell in love (may be John was in love before:)). John and I met on a dating app called "Hinge." We went on one single date meeting up for a cocktail at a local watering hole. I was leaving a week later to travel for work on what was at the time the biggest case of my life. John, in uniform, with his team, met me at the airport on the way to my gate to say "Hi!." John wanted a second date when I returned, but I was not ready, life was quite chaotic and I moved back to East Bay San Francisco where I would stay for about 3 years. The three years passed by and I moved back to Las Vegas focused on my new law firm in 2019. 10 months after I returned, I unexpectedly received a message on Facebook messenger from "John Martinick." I recognized that handsome face and sweet eyes. His message read something like "Hi stranger! Are you back in Las Vegas?" John said I was a "recommended friend" suggestion on Facebook that prompted him to reach out. I responded that I was back in town and we exchanged niceties and life updates. John suggested that we just meet up for a glass of celebratory wine, not a formal date, but just to say hi since years had passed and that I was back in town. On September 22, 2019, John and I exchanged text messages saying how excited we were to see each other again that following Tuesday after not seeing each other for over 3 years. John planned our informal "date" at Grape Street. The couple days went by and we met at Grape Street. John was so excited he arrived early. He still remembers what I wore that day ... A yellow skirt and white top (which serves as the yellow theme for our wedding). It was our FIRST Second Date, 3 and 1/2 years later. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together that day and told each other the same. After Grape Street, we were never apart and always laugh at the fate that brought us back together.

John had stored both his toothbrush and underwear at my house. He called himself the "Clinger Chick." I was happy to have him around all the time. He is an easy man, always wakes up with a smile, and is patient. He also said Jax was his dog too! John and I were dating for about 4 months. We celebrated his 40th birthday with his parents and his colleagues at a special 80s party at Top Golf on March 15, 2020. One week later, the world closed down and the lights on the Las Vegas strip turned off for the first time since the Kennedy assassination because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nothing was open, but the mountains were. Unbeknownst to me, John had began having a ring designed so he could propose. One week after his 40th birthday, he said we were going on hike at Red Rock, something he knew I loved to do on the weekends. John came home and I hugged him and felt a bulge in his pocket (not that kind!). I ASKED what was in his pocket, and I think he said his badge. I commented he probably did not need his badge on our hike. However, it was really the ring box! I did not think anything of it. But I was concerned about the time because we usually hike early and John waited until about 3:00 p.m. which was very late for a long trail hike. I ASKED when would we be leaving and that if he was not interested in hiking I could go on my own. He said to stop ASKING questions and that he was taking me to a cool trail. I asked which one? HAHA! We finally got to Red Rock mountain, the side that allows you to see the sunset. We hiked up to the top and John gave me a hug ~ he was nervous for a few minutes and I did not know why, but moments later, he told me he wanted us to spend the rest of our lives together and that he was never letting me leave town without him again, then he proposed! XOXO And here we are! We planned a wedding that year, but every deadline was compromised and Italy closed down ... we decided ultimately decided we would not compromise a dream location. XO

We want each of you at our elopement because you hold a super special place in each of our hearts. We are both grateful for your unconditional and endless support and love. More importantly, we are grateful that you have embraced our relationship and either accepted me or John as the other's partner. We chose to have a very small group by our sides of people who have touched our lives, that we love, and want to have in this memory of Italy indefinitely. For April, friends are family, now you are family to both of us. For John, he has the best set of parents! As you know, I am a planner, and am working to put together such a wonderful itinerary of memorable things for us, even plenty of time to soak of the Italian culture and just sit and breathe the Italian air in the countryside and cities we visit. In Tuscany ("Toscana"), we have a great itinerary planned so our experience in Italy will be beautiful, fun and held in our hearts for life. **I cannot say it with any more excitement and love, we CANNOT WAIT to have our little group together for days before, during and after the elopement to eat wonderful food, celebrate, experiences fun activities and just have the most memorable togetherness in ITALY!