We're getting married!

Andrew and I met two years ago on a camping trip with some mutual friends who were going to Yosemite to climb Half Dome. Lots of time to talk while hiking on God's green earth to the top of a rock. We didn't get each others' numbers or see each other again until two months later when we saw one another at another group event through church at our friend Makena's who hosted a Chili Cook Off party. The day after the Chili Cook Off, Andrew called me up and asked me out! We started dating and didn't stop. Best things all around.

I am ecstatic and in awe that I get to marry this man. Andrew grew up in Vista/Oceanside (since I work in Vista Unified, I love that he went through VUSD schools), where his family, including his two great parents and three siblings, live. He loves God more than anything and one of my favorite things about our relationship is how he gets excited to talk about the Bible, church, discipleship, and more. He loves people and is an optimist, but thankfully, if things don’t pan out as he thought, he just keeps chugging along seeing the good. After college at SDSU Andrew went to work with his dad’s company Small Offices for Rent which, believe it or not, leases out offices spaces in North County (they wanted there to be no confusion about what their company does), and I love hearing about and witnessing his business self and the many people (and internet and air conditioning issues) he responds to daily. He is adventurous and super athletically capable and often I’m unable to keep up, but he doesn’t mind waiting up for me, or the Jr. High boys he mentors though church, or anyone else who comes into contact with him. He is a wonderfully communicative, kind, loving, and strong man who is looked up to and supported by his friends and family and even strangers. I could not imagine a more perfect person to enter into a lifelong commitment with. Even though I know love and infatuation can fade, perfection is never attainable, and that both Andrew and I are far from perfect, with Andrew's first foundation on Christ and our pursuit after God first, I pray no matter what we will serve the Lord together more greatly than apart. Andrew's the only person I've ever dated, which I love. I could clearly go on and on, but overall, I am exceedingly thankful for his humble, inclusive spirit, logical yet fun-loving mind, and heart of kindness. I love him so much and he loves me so well.

Who is Tori Kessel? Now that is a great question, a question I am overjoyed to help answer. Victoria Gerzel Kessel came into this glorious world on May 26th, 1992. Daughter of Jim and Susie, Tori is the middle child sandwiched between her supa fly brothers Hayden and Chase. Born in Texas, and then moving to Fallbrook, was a formative move for Tori and her family. If you don't already know, residents of Fallbrook have a tremendous sense of ownership and pride in their quaint avocado filled city-state. Fast forward to June 8th, 2016. On this day I was fortunate enough to hike Half Dome with Tori and many of our dear friends. Every step brought us closer together on that hike. The sheer splendor of Yosemite Valley surrounded us on all sides, but my eyes were opened to the most beautiful thing I had ever seen in my life, TORI! If you've ever met Tori you know that she has a tremendous ability to ask meaningful questions paired with unparalleled authenticity and genuineness. I felt so loved being with her, and still do to this day. Months later we went on our first official date to Torrey Pines State Beach, the very same location I would one day kneel down at to ask for her hand in marriage (I got goosebumps writing this sentence ha). Tori loves warmth, when the sun shines down upon her olive complexion, when she lays down in sunbaked sand. She loves yummy food, preferably shared with others. If you happen to see a car idling in a parking lot or driveway for an extended amount of time it's probably Tori soaking in a few moments of peace and quiet and warmth. Above all else Tori loves Jesus Christ, who she reveres greatly, and with boldness and passion claims as her Lord and Savior. Three years into teaching at Grapevine, Tori's heart for her students continues to grow #lifelonglearner. There's so much more to Tori than 2k characters, and I can't wait to live the rest of my life with her in order to find out! "A wife of noble character who can find?" I found one!

I love podcasts, as does Andrew, and our friends Alyssa and Jeremiah are epic in all ways and helped us record a podcast about our relationship! Super fun for us, but you're welcome to listen in as well. :) Copy and paste the link into a new tab to listen. Let me know if this isn't working or if you're having trouble and want to listen because I can send it to you another way :) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o2HBYXPbNQP0uleYor0qrgqzZpMXKNDn/view?usp=sharing Interview conducted by Alyssa Trujillo Recorded by Jeremiah Trujillo