Danny and I have no idea how we met - but we know it was on the East Cost in the NY/PA/ tri-state area, and that there was music involved. When Amanda Marsh and I moved to LA, it didn't take long for me to realize that my friend Danny from back East was actually born and raised and living in Los Angeles. I reached out to him and we started to meet up at jam sessions all over the city. We looked forward to seeing each other, and to hanging as much as playing. Conversations about music and art turned into conversations about life and values, and we soon realized how much our hopes and dreams resonated with one another. As our friendship deepened, Danny invited me to go hear a Wayne Shorter Tribute at Walt Disney Concert Hall. At one point during the concert, he held my hand. And while I was surprised, it felt more wrong to let go of his hand than to keep holding it. From that moment on, we have been there for each other, going from friends to partners for life. We have traveled, composed, and produced music together. We've built friendships, community, and a sense of home together. It's our greatest joy to celebrate this new beginning with our family! After he proposed on December 10th, 2024 in Honolulu, HI, we thought intensely about where to get married. Danny's family is in Los Angeles, mine is all over and clustered in Florida and Jamaica. Both of us love history and have Jewish roots, and wanted to honor the Nunes legacy in Portugal. Our first plan was to have one wedding in Portugal and vows in Jamaica. Then we found out that getting married legally abroad was a bit complicated, and we'd prefer to keep our legal marriage license clear. So we decided to ask our Rabbi here in LA, Rabbi Hannah Elkin, to marry us. She said yes! The great fortune was that it allowed much of Danny's family to join us in witnessing a union that is very much binding - a first step. A legal union with a spiritual blessing. Next we'll head to Portugal, where the Rabbi we connected with during a visit to Lisbon, Rabbi Alan Fleischman, will marry us with all of the elements of a traditional Jewish wedding. A marriage before God. In Jamaica, we'll have a marriage of our families led by Rabbi Stephen Henriques. We wouldn't feel complete as a couple unless we could share our vows before all of our loved ones, and have them gather together as much as possible. And truth be told, the Nunes & Wood (with a sprinkling of Janklow) families are overdue for a family reunion in Jamaica. If our wedding can serve as that opportunity, we'll be delighted to see everyone come together. There is so much to celebrate, talk about, and give thanks for! Let's live while we're alive, and appreciate the beautiful people who make up our family. There are so many new little ones, and so many who we have lost. Let's gather together and celebrate their lives, and our love!