Lily and Patrick met at just 19 years old, both just starting their adult lives. Lily was in college and Patrick was working in the restaurants. During this time the two enjoyed hanging out with friends, meeting each others friend groups as they both grew up in different areas of San Diego. Lily's favorite thing to do was drive to Malibu through Topanga canyon in her grey mustang, blasting EDM music and eat fresh seafood on the cliffs of Malibu. Patrick learned to fit into her life style. Lily also made an effort to join into Patrick’s life style like dirt biking in the desert. However, to this day Lily still has not quite mastered the art of riding bikes in the desert lol. When Lily was accepted into UCSD, the two got a small apartment in La Jolla together ($1650 a month by the way, wow has rent changed since then). Patrick worked in 2 high end resort kitchens while Lily was studying at UCSD. Lily would walk across the street from campus to his first job at Estancia La Jolla to spend time together on his lunch break. She would sit by the pool kitchen and he would make her lunch. Lily's mom joined them once for a lunch date. From the start, Lily was welcomed into Patrick's large family with open arms and struggled to learn everyone’s names (she did it though). Patrick was welcomed into Lily's family joining family trips to mammoth mountain and learning to fly fish with Lily's Dad. Lily's dad patiently taught her and Patrick to fly fish and got them outfitted with gear. Soon after, Patrick changed career paths and began working as a soils tech and concrete inspector for Lily's Dad at his company. He learned many new trades through Lily's dad and looked up to him for support and learning. 4 years into their relationship they decided to build their family and Celine was the first addition to that. Lily did not want to be pregnant during engagement photos so Patrick reluctantly waited until after Celine was born to propose. During a trip to the desert (a normal occurrence with Patrick’s family), Patrick was planning the proposal. He and his family took Lily and Celine exploring through the desert (they were looking for a good spot to propose). They took so long to do this that Lily started to suspect something haha). They ended up at the historic light house building in In-ko-pah and walked up the spiral stairs to the top. Looking out over the view, Patrick got down on one Knee and proposed. Lily said yes (obviously) and from then on they have been Fiancés. They began searching for wedding venues and after realizing what it entailed, they continued on their lives as a growing family focusing on their newborn Celine. Lily then pursued a masters degree in education, during which time they continued growing as a family, welcoming Alex. Lily graduated with her masters degree, and received her teaching credential while pregnant with Nathan. Patrick has pursued his goal of getting his own contractors license and is growing his career, working on and completing impressive remodels for multiple clients, including their current home rental. Lily didn't want to be pregnant at her wedding, this would mean she couldn’t drink champagne haha and would have difficulty with dress fittings, so Patrick reluctantly kept waiting and waiting. During these years the families went through a time of severe losses and grief. As the idea of a big wedding sounded less and less likely, the two eventually decided they didn't want to wait any longer and to go ahead with plans to marry, big wedding or not. Lily was accepting not having a big wedding, however, her mom knew (as all mothers do) that she was disappointed under her cheerful face. So, her mom said let’s do it, we’re going to have that big wedding, and here we are planning a wedding with all of our loved ones, which we are so blessed to have so many. We are so excited to blend Patrick’s and Lily's amazing families and we hope you all are as excited as us.

Patrick and Lily, having been together for 9 to 10 years, have been through many of life’s struggles together. Patrick and Lily have both supported each other through many tough times like career disappointment’s and difficult deaths in each others families. From Patrick’s Grandmother and Uncle passing, to Lily’s Dad and Grandfather passing, they both shared grief and the cycle of life together during these times. Throughout these hardships they also welcomed 2 children together Celine and Alex, fully experiencing the cycle of life. Both Patrick and Lily had family members pass within months of birthing children of their own, truly feeling and living the cycle of life together. Lily's grandfather at one point in his hospice said “I’m making room for the next newest family member”. The sadness and joy at the same time was quite difficult to feel and understand but the two did it together and have built strength in their relationship together.