Ariel and I first met in July 2009 in upstate New York at the 100 year anniversary of the St. George Pathfinders of America scouting organization. We would go on to stay in touch here and there, but only saw each other again in 2015. Same time, same place. Although we got to know each other building campfires, tying knots, and swatting mosquitoes, our story doesn’t begin at that summer camp. Our story truly begins in 1936 right outside of Belgrade, Serbia (Yugoslavia at the time). Both of our grandfathers went to the same small cadet school and were in the same class all those years ago! I know, what a small freakin’ world! They would grow up to become great friends. Wanting a better life for themselves and their families they both escaped the Soviet Union and emigrated to the U.S. (California and New York). Although they ended up living thousands of miles away from each other, they made sure to stay in touch and visit one another throughout their lives. The main things that kept them close was their cadet brothers, the church, and St. George Pathfinders of America. Their love for the SGPA has been passed down generations to Ariel and I. It has allowed us to stay connected to our Russian roots and not to mention have a boatload of fun!!! OP10P will always hold a special place in my heart and even more so, because it’s where my heart became full! Fast forward to August 2017. I flew out to Los Angeles (Ariel’s hometown) for a fundraising ball for…you guessed it, the same scouting organization. After reconnecting on that trip, I not only fell in love with Ariel, but the state of California. In the coming weeks I would go on to visit her in San Francisco, where she had recently moved to become a Preschool teacher. I got on a plane every few weeks for the next 6 months just to see her.

It was time to make a decision. Am I really going to move this far away from home? Restart my life? I thought of the most important question. Is she worth it? You bet your a** she is. The day before Valentine’s Day 2018 I booked a one way ticket to SF and surprised Ariel. I was now an official resident of California. The last 4.5 years have been nothing short of incredible. We have traveled all over the country together, visiting friends and family. Our journey has had so many beautiful memories thus far, and we can’t wait to create many more. The most special memory to date occurred on 1/23/21 surrounded by close family, friends, and powdered snow. I surprised Ariel on the top of Heavenly Mountain in South Lake Tahoe asking for her hand in marriage. She said, “Yes!” (Better get married quickly before she changes her mind) The whole weekend was an incredible celebration that we will never forget! I thank God every day that I got on that plane. I’d do it 100 times again! Ariel and her entire family have made me feel so welcome and because of them I can honestly now call California my home. I’m the luckiest guy, and will always pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. And if I am…please don’t wake me up!!! We have our families on all sides to thank for Ariel and I finding each other. It seems their shared values helped bring us together. We are beyond thrilled to be able to combine these amazing families into ONE crazy, wacky, loud, loyal, and lovable family. Not many people are fortunate enough to get married at the place they met and fell in love. Ariel and I are about to have that privilege. We can’t wait to begin this next chapter of our lives in the woods where we shared our first memories together and we can’t wait to celebrate with all of you! Now let’s get married!