Monica and George first met on an oppressive August day in Sevilla, circa 2003. Though neither specifically remember their first encounter, one can imagine George cut an impressive figure that day - his 150lb frame resplendent in an extra, extra-large Izod button down set off by a full-length arm cast leftover from driving his car over a cliff earlier that summer. Monica would have likewise been breathtaking in her signature jean shorts and Birkenstocks - especially when she stood on tip toes to make eye contact with... literally everyone. As the two embarked on their post-collegiate lives, their Spanish-born amistad blossomed into American-made... friendship... which was soon supplanted by a heart-racing period of.... more friendship. But when in 2010, single George moved to the Bay Area (where single Monica just so happened to already live), that friendship leapt off the pages of a romance novel into *checks notes to ensure George's complete emasculation*... sweet, sweet, FRIENDSHIP. After yet another seven(!!!) years – the last three spent in increasingly sporadic correspondence following Monica's move back to Spain - George held out few expectations for a change during his longtime friend's 2017 summer visit back to the Bay... So of course by some mystical alchemy, literally everything changed on that trip. And after a frantic George trip to Seattle and a handful of angsty phone calls, 14(!!!) years of friendship gave way in less time than it takes for either of us to decide on what we want for dinner. One month later Monica was back in the Bay, six months later she had taken over George's house, and 2.26 years later we'll be in Santa Fe making our vows other alongside the people we love most. We can't wait to share this moment with you, as well as many more (not ALL... but definitely many... "most" would still be a stretch, but a fairly significant minority when it's all said and done) moments as we begin this next journey together. See you all soon.

Monica and George have spent a lot of time, intentionally and organically, considering marriage: our needs, fears and hopes, as we begin this exciting (and terrifying) next step. We are so grateful for the love and reflections that each of you has offered though this journey. We know we will continue drawing on those perspectives to center and guide us, both when we're most joyful and in times of challenge. During the ceremony, we'd be honored if you - either individually or as couples - could offer us a few words of encouragement, support or wisdom – be it something short you've written, something short you've read, or even (*gulp*) something off the cuff! A line, a paragraph, whatever inspires you to give us. Everyone's words will weave in with our own vows during the ceremony. We'd like to collect a physical copy of your words as a keepsake, so please bring a physical copy to paste into a memento book… or be ready to repeat your riff in written form!