Hey friends and family! I know a few of you are coming from out of town and may need to book a hotel room or AirBnB for 1 or 2 nights. We’ve also reserved a few hotel rooms. You can find out more by checkout by the travel tab. I would suggest booking something soon, as UC Merced's graduation is the same weekend. It looks like a couple of hotels are already completely booked. I did notice some really great/affordable airBnBs that are still available though! Let me or Seth know if you have any questions :)

My first memory of Jenessa was being in the same tennis class together. I don't remember talking to her, I only remember being bad at tennis. We ran in a lot of the same circles growing up and Jenessa was best friends with my sister Charissa. We were part of the same homeschool group, went to the same church, played sports at the same school, worked at the same Starbucks, and were youth interns at our church together. Over the years our relationship grew and somewhere along the way she became not just my sisters’ friend but my friend. We were so close that people were always trying to hook us up, but being the stubborn guy that I am this only made me want to do the opposite. To me she was just a friend and I was annoyed that everyone was always trying to set us up. After college Jenessa went on a mission trip to Africa, pursued a Masters at Fuller seminary, and even went to Bulgaria for an internship. We remained close and kept in touch as much as we could. I moved to Fremont to work as the Youth Director of CPC Fremont, so we ended up being on the opposite sides of California close to our beloved baseball teams. After graduating, she moved back to Merced and we began hanging out again. It seemed like all my friends who met her recognized our great chemistry and wondered why the heck we weren't dating. I decided that we would never know if we could be more than friends unless I gave it a shot. Over our Christmas break I went for it and held Jenessa's hand. This led to a DTR where we went on a walk and decided to officially date. 6 Months later Jenessa got a job with IJM and moved to DC. A year later I proposed to her on the same beach she had accepted the position a year earlier. We spent the night celebrating with our friends and family. Jenessa is the coolest, hottest girl I've ever met, she is the person I respect most in this world, a solid woman of God and I can't wait to start our new life together in DC! I can't wait to celebrate with you all on May 12!

As many of you know, Seth and I have known each other since about middle school. I quickly became best friends with his older sister, Charissa. He was the funny little brother who was weirdly obsessed with bugs and amphibians...it was not love at first sight. Seth gradually became less of “my best friend’s younger brother” and more my own friend, as we worked together at Starbucks (I was his boss!) and as interns at CPC Merced. I always admired his commitment to, and talent for, youth ministry. In working so closely with him, I was able to see his integrity and care for deep relationships. I was always impressed by his desire to include everyone in everything (even though it affected my careful planning at times). I also realized how good a team we were! After I graduated from Fuller, Seth and I started dating. It happened quite unexpectedly, yet very naturally. I think I always saw myself ending up with him, but we both had some growing up to do first. Six months after we started dating, I moved to DC. He said we’d make it work—always the supportive and flexible man. A year after moving to DC, at our families’ annual beach-camping trip, Seth planned the sweetest, most thoughtful proposal. While we were reminiscing about the previous year and our relationship thus far, he turned and held out the ring. All I could say was “this is weird.” It was all very surreal, but the best moment. He also ensured as many family and friends were there as possible to celebrate with us after! I have never met anyone who challenges, complements, and respects me so well. He always makes me laugh and is the best listener I know. I can’t wait to marry him and spend the rest of our lives going on adventures, continuing our search for the best brunch, binge-watching Netflix, fighting over baseball, and growing in our relationships with God and each other.