The Wedding

Julia and Patrick’s story began nearly a decade ago in New York City, at a mutual friend’s birthday party. The night was an unforgettable blur of sizzling halal plates, lively conversation in an Upper West Side apartment overlooking Central Park, and—most importantly—a spirited debate about whether chess qualifies as a sport. As Julia left that evening, she never imagined that the man who so effortlessly captivated her thoughts would become her future husband. The next day, she called her mom and mentioned “this guy” she’d met, laughing as she admitted she’d probably never see him again—yet something about his energy stuck with her. Three years later, fate intervened. Julia and Patrick, now in Los Angeles for grad school and a new job respectively, unknowingly found themselves orbiting the same social circles once more. On Halloween night, at another gathering hosted by the very friend who had first brought them together, they reconnected. This time, there was no question—this wasn’t just a passing moment. And the rest, as they say, is history.

The morning after their unexpected reunion on Halloween, Patrick wasted no time—he called Julia and asked her out on a date in Culver City. Their first stop was a stylish cocktail bar, but when the music became too loud and Julia suggested taking shots, Patrick smoothly redirected the night. Instead, they found themselves at the Culver City Hotel Restaurant, sipping champagne and listening to jazz—a spot that remains one of their favorite places to this day. They lingered for hours, lost in conversation about their dreams, their goals, and, of course, the ever-present debate: Is chess truly a sport? From that night forward, they fell into a rhythm of courting each other, officially beginning their relationship on December 15, 2018. Since then, they’ve built a beautiful life together in Los Angeles—navigating career milestones, adopting two cats (Riley and Nori), and, most recently, purchasing their first home in Rancho Park. As they step into this next chapter, one thing remains unchanged: their excitement to continue growing their family and, naturally, to keep debating whether or not chess deserves its place among sports.