Although our big day didn't go according to plan in 2020, we cannot wait to let loose a year's worth of celebration with you all in 2021. Your constant love & support along the way has made a world of difference to us, and our first cheers with all of you as husband and wife will be well worth the wait. Please be sure to check this site as we approach the big day for developing details of welcome drinks, after parties, and everything in between! Sending all of our love, Sydney & Lake xo

Sacramento: the city of Loehmann’s Plaza and Willie’s Burgers; Jesuit and St. Francis High Schools; Carmichael and East Sac; the newly built Golden 1 Center and the worn down Arco Arena. Sacramento is a unique oasis that stirs nostalgia and affection within every Sacramento-raised, 20-something year old after we grow out of the rebellious, get-me-out-of-here mentality that began during our senior years in high school. After years of coming home for the holidays and summer breaks, our friends and family never fail to acknowledge our uncommon love for our hometown. It is the place where Lake and I met along the American River at the rope swing behind his house. It is the place where Lake attended Salvation Army basketball camps coached by Todd and cheered on by Dominique, all in preparation for Sections during his final year at Jesuit. It is the place where I devoted countless weekends to soccer tournaments, where you could always find Laurie and Rick in their fold up chairs along the sidelines. It is the place that gave us the people who knew Lake and me at the very beginning of this now life long journey. Sacramento has a way of always bringing people back to where they began. This city represents the love of our families, the playground of our younger years, and the shelter we will always return to. For these reasons, choosing Sacramento as our wedding venue served as one of the few “no brainer” choices on the long list of wedding planning decisions. We are beyond excited to invite our most important loved ones to celebrate our lifelong adventure in the place where the adventure originally began.

Everything truly is bigger in Texas. Whether it’s country music at the rodeo arena, gameday at Texas Christian University, Intelligence school graduation at Goodfellow Air Force Base, or the gondola ride proposal in Dallas that mimics something only found in storybooks, Texas holds big memories for Lake and I. After four years of a long distance relationship while Lake was at the Air Force Academy and I was at Texas Christian University, Lake was stationed at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas to complete training required to become an Intelligence Officer. I worked in Dallas, shortening the distance from a six hour travel day by plane to a four hour car ride; compared to the past four years, we suddenly felt like next door neighbors. Weekend after weekend, the drive was made without a second thought or complaint. The simple life of fishing off of the back porch of Lake’s house, overlooking Lake Nasworthy as we snacked on barbecue from down the road and played Alan Jackson, as though we had already grown old together. It was simple, but it was perfect. Lake and I have always felt a connection to the southern hospitality, the commitment to freedom, and the twangy sound of country music that permeates every inch of that colossal state. Whether it was the big city feel of Dallas or the nowhere town feel of San Angelo, Texas never failed to make us feel at home. Texas forever, y’all.

Whenever I was asked to pick one person to be stranded on an island with, I would always, without hesitation, choose Lake. Never did I think this game would become a reality, but after starting our life in Hawaii, I am sure glad it did. When Lake was assigned Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Oahu, we felt overwhelmed with gratitude at the opportunity of starting our life together among some of the most beautiful beaches and settings in the world; however, we also felt a sense of apprehension. Moving to a strange place in the middle of the Pacific Ocean lacking the common comfort of friends and family for our first adventure together seemed like a tall order. This hesitation quickly subsided with each sunset walk along the beach and the comfort of being together permanently after the long seven year wait. Beyond the beauty of this tropical landscape, Lake and I quickly recognized a common spirit within every Hawaiian we met, every landscape we hiked, and every shore our surfboards touched. There is a unique respect for the land and love for the people on Oahu. Regardless of whether it's the energy of the island or just the intense humidity, time slows down here and you’re left to appreciate every detail of your present moment. During this time of rapid change, this Hawaiian call to slow down is exactly what Lake and I needed to soak up every moment of our move to the island, create our first home together, plan a wedding, and enjoy being young and in love. As far as we are concerned, there is no such thing as island fever when you’re with that one special person. We cannot wait to celebrate in the aloha spirit with all of you soon!