Be Our Guest...

Sara is a claims examiner at Prominence Health Plan, and a hair stylist on the side! She is also working on her life insurance license. Now that the boring stuff is out of the way: I grew up in San Jose, California, with my mom, dad, and two step-brothers. I have two half-sisters, who were born and raised "across the pond." One of them, Madeline, aka Maddy, is my Maid of Honor. Kandice and her children will be joining us virtually from South Africa. I got pretty good grades and dabbled in cheer leading and dance team. I wasn't super popular, but not outcast, either. Just somewhere in middle. I worked as a clean up girl at a hair salon after school once I got to Middle School and took Cosmetology my junior and senior year of high school. I lived in Chico for a good number of years (16ish), where I was first married and had Melody! The Looker family lived in Texas for a few years before I had enough and came back home with Melody. She is pretty much the center of my universe! Now she will gladly share that spot with Spencer. Not long after arriving here, I joined the Fraternal Order of Eagles. I am now the President of our local Aerie (chapter), and Chaplain at the State level. The Eagles at large have been an integral part of things such as Mother's Day and Social Security. More recently, they have built and continue to support a Diabetic Research Center. I have a lot of interests, of which my focus fluctuates, some of which include: reading, quilting, crocheting, stamping/card making, scrap booking, and roller skating. Spencer has converted me from a "glamper" to tent camping.

Spencer is a published author of three novels and a graphic novel, with another on the way! As for hobbies, Spencer is a black belt in American Kenpo Karate. ​He's even started training Sara in Kenpo! He also loves comics and video games. In particular, he enjoys role playing, fighting, and adventure games. Among his favorites are the Final Fantasy series (with VII being his personal favorite so far), the Metroid series, Mortal Kombat, Dead or Alive, as well as Tomb Raider. ​He grew up in Reno and spent a few years in Filer, Idaho, where he hopes to never have to return. Spencer is also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, where he spearheaded "Aerie Con," a fund raising event last year. The Second Annual Aerie Con is already in the planning stages for this year as well. He currently serves as local Aerie Vice President.

This amazing young lady keeps us entertained and on our toes! She is an avid Hamilton fan as well as proud Hufflepuff/Harry Potter fan. Melody and Spencer hit it off instantly! As Sara and MJ were leaving the first time she met him and his family, she said, "I like them! They're my kind of people!" She's been calling him her step-dad since long before the engagement. 7th grade was Melody's second year playing violin in the school orchestra. She's been enjoying it so much, we added private lessons to her schedule and she's loving it! She auditioned for and performed in the Washoe County School District Junior Honors Orchestra at The Pioneer Center in February. She switched to the viola at the end of the school year and continues to keep up with her violin. She joined the Color Guard at Spanish Springs High School for the current school year, too. She loves school, and has made honor role every semester of middle school. Simply put, we could not be prouder of her!!!

Spencer gained an abundance of experience with care giving while caring for his father, who was terminally ill, several years ago. The wisdom he gained from that experience became a life saver for Sara when her mom was diagnosed with ALS. He taught her valuable lessons, such as, "Don't worry until there's something to worry about," and, "Continue to treat your mom as your mom, not her illness." We have a shared love of reading and the English language in general. We're both a big fan of good puns, though he does throw in some stinkers from time to time. He is about to be a dad, after all! We spend a good amount of time together at Grassroots Books and Barnes and Noble. As some of you know, Sara's idea of camping has always involved a home on wheels, complete with a microwave, shower, hair dryer, TV, etc. Spencer has converted her from a "glamper" to a bona-fide tent camper! Our music tastes have merged too! He tolerates country music more than he used to. He even set George Strait's "The Chair" as his ringtone for Sara. On the other hand, you'll notice some KPOP on the play list on our big day! That comes from the influence of Spencer and his sisters, Kalani and Malia.

We had planned to celebrate Sara's birthday at Ijji 2, but we all (Sara, Spencer, Dad, Melody, and Spencer's family) got COVID. We were all feeling well enough by mid February to reschedule. Spencer thought Tuesday, 2/22/22 would be a good day for that! She was OK with that until she realized she had to work in the office and attend a quilt meeting after work, making the reservations pretty late! He persisted, though. She decided that since he's always so accommodating to her, she would "let him have this one." Ha! It turns out there was a method to his madness! At the end of the dinner, Spencer pretended he had to use the restroom. When he returned, he announced that we had come to celebrate her birthday, but given it was such a cool date, perhaps there should be more to celebrate! He then proceeded to get on one knee and pull a ring out of his pocket! She doesn't remember all of what he said and couldn't hear most of it anyway (noisy restaurant), but quickly figured out what was going on! She looked at her dad and noticed he didn't seem remotely surprised and mouthed "DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS!?!?!" He certainly did, because Spencer had asked Denis about it about a month prior to the proposal. She said "Yes!" but he wasn't done yet! He still had another proposal to make. He presented Melody with a bracelet and asked if she would give him the honor of being her "Second Dad." She said "Yes," too!