It all started on a breezy March night in 2023, tucked away in the lush valley of Mānoa, Hawai‘i. The Dorflinger’s historic home was glowing with laughter, food, and the warmth of chosen family. It was an “ohana dinner” that neither of us knew would change everything. Our mutual friend, the one and only "Island Ninja" Grant McCartney, turned out to be the surprise matchmaker. Natalie had been competing alongside Grant on “Team Golden Hearts” since 2016, flipping and flying through ninja courses. Paka had known Grant for 15 years through church. And when Grant invited us both to dinner, it wasn’t quite fate yet... just a very well-set table. At some point between bites and banter, Natalie cracked a joke: “I’m Filipino. Leftovers is my love language.” Cue Paka’s ears perking up. Half Hawaiian and half Filipino himself, he knew that wasn’t a joke. That was destiny served with a side of rice. That night, Paka walked Natalie to her car like a true gentleman... then handed her a Ziploc bag filled with local beers. “Your leftovers,” he said with a grin. That grin never really left. From there, Paka slowly won Natalie over. Not with grand gestures, but with thoughtful ones, like wrapping her cups in napkins because he noticed her pet peeve was condensation. With bad jokes that somehow made her laugh (eventually). With home-cooked meals that warmed more than just the belly. With a quiet kind of care that you don’t always see, but always feel. Natalie, a whirlwind of willpower and purpose, found something in Paka she didn’t know she needed. A safe place to land. A partner she could be strong with, but also break down with. Someone who stood steady through every high-energy, high-stakes moment, and still held space for softness. Together, we found a shared love for hosting Supper Clubs at Natalie’s home in Honolulu, complete with panoramic views of the ocean and island… with even better company. Paka would hand-draw themed menus for Filipino feasts, Japanese nights, and local-style ‘ohana dinners. Natalie would transform the space with décor that made every guest feel like they’d stepped into something special. We started as two people who showed up for dinner.
Now we’re building a life that feels like one long, joyful meal... filled with flavor, laughter, growth, and leftovers we’ll happily share forever.