We met at a beginner's sailing course on Kauai. Both of us were instantly intrigued by each other on the first day of class, but throughout the six-week course, too chicken to ask the other on a date. It wasn't until the last day of the class when we exchanged phone numbers, under the guise that we and other classmates should meet up to practice. And then it began, first the awkward and tentative text messages, then the invitation for Steven to come to Val's housewarming party. Steven was the first to arrive, with a box of strawberry plants (theme for party was "things that grow" for our garden), and he was also the last to leave. We had our first kiss at the end of the night! At the time, Val's uncle Jon, aunt Linda and cousins Jake and Katey were visiting the island. At one point Aunt Linda approached Val and said "you better go for this guy!" Thanks, Auntie! You were right. Also, during our first week of dating, Val's mom was visiting! So, Steven had the extra pressure of impressing Val's mother (who gave her two thumbs up). Steven even accompanied Val and Janelle to a Bon Dance Festival, a Japanese tradition popular in Hawaii, even though he doesn't love to dance. Aw....