There is an ancient Chinese proverb called The Red String Theory that speaks of an invisible red string connecting two people who are destined to meet and influence one another’s lives. We like to think our red string tied us together long before we knew what was coming and patiently waited for the perfect time to pull us together. Our story began in 2020 at the very club where we will now be getting married. Michael was the new guy, and Mari was the seasoned leader tasked with showing him the ropes. It didn’t take long for Mari to determine that Michael was an overachiever eager to impress. To be fair, anyone who knows Michael knows he strives for excellence. Anyone who knows Mari knows she can spot nonsense from a mile away. Which makes it even funnier that she is now counting down the days until she marries him. As we navigated COVID, club closures, and the chaos of hospitality, a friendship formed. Through Zoom meetings, shared ideas, and creative ways to keep members connected, we discovered how naturally we worked together. During those years, we were not together and were each in other relationships. Romance was never part of the equation. What grew instead was a friendship built on trust, admiration, and a shared love of hospitality and creating memorable experiences. When Mari transferred to Michael’s club, our friendship deepened. Later, Michael moved to Dallas, but our connection never disappeared. When he returned to Los Angeles, we picked up where we left off. Looking back, it feels as though the red string was quietly doing its work all along. Then came Michael’s 40th birthday. Being the thoughtful person she is, Mari, along with our dear friend Pearl Ho, secretly organized a surprise birthday celebration unlike anything Michael had ever experienced. Family and friends gathered to remind him how loved he truly was. It was an unforgettable night. Not just because of the celebration, but because for the very first time, Michael saw Mari differently. After years of friendship, something shifted. He went home with one thought dominating his mind: “How long has she been standing there?” A few days later, Michael asked Mari to dinner. What followed were honest conversations, growing feelings, and the realization that our hearts felt at home with one another. Our dates looked less like fancy dinners and more like homemade micheladas, walks with Lola, game nights, and Mari routinely winning at cornhole and Speed. Along the way, we realized we weren't just making each other happy. We were making each other better. Then came the kids. Both of us were unwavering that our kids would always come first. Thankfully, they made it easy. Watching our families blend together felt natural from the very start. The laughter, love, and connection confirmed what our hearts already knew. This wasn’t just a relationship. This was a family. On a beautiful November evening atop the Los Angeles Athletic Club, Michael proposed. After surprising Mari with a video from loved ones and singing a very questionable but sweet rendition of “All of Me,” he led her to a giant heart of rose petals, got down on one knee, and asked her to be his partner for always. She gasped. She cried. She forgot to say yes. Then she did. Since that day, our love has only grown deeper. Through every challenge and blessing, we continue choosing each other, our family, and the life we are building together. People often laugh at how different we are. How did the fiercely independent, no nonsense woman who sees through everything end up with the optimistic, sentimental overachiever who writes poems and believes almost anything is possible? The answer is simple. Beneath those differences, we share the same values: family, loyalty, compassion, and showing up for the people we love. The red string knew. And now, with our children by our side and surrounded by the people we love, we can confidently say that we have found our person, and finally, our home.