Let's Eat Cake & Have a Wedding

We Invite You to Share in Our Happiness on Our Wedding Day Join Us in Our Celebration The Ceremony Starts at 6:30 pm Reception to Follow Cake around Eight Please use the RSVP tab to let us know you are coming!

I took a leap of faith and moved to Ketchikan Alaska in 2011 as a tour guide to start a new life. I learned the basics of the job within a month only to find myself bored to death sitting at home. I wanted to meet fun new people. Along with two new friends from work, we ventured to The Asylum. Yes, we met at a bar. There were only two spots available on one side of the long bar. The third spot was occupied by a beer and an open newspaper with a jacket wrapped around the bar chair. No occupant. I boldly moved the items over one seat. And whoever he is - we were going to play my five question game. I don’t remember exactly what I asked when he arrived back to his seat, but he warily played along. Before I knew what was happening – I met Jimmy - and within minutes he opened his flip phone and typed my name as Sue Kailua with my number. He said he had to meet with a friend, and left. The girls decided it was time to leave. We giggled about Jimmy and started walking home. And there he was again! The back door of the Sourdough Bar was open; there was a video game just inside the door and he was taking turns with his new friend. When I passed by, we said an enthusiastic hello to each other. Then, He. Touched my fingers for a brief moment and there was a spark! (Physically, or was it just my imagination) He called on Sunday & left a message. My terrible habit of not looking at my phone for a day or so, I texted Jimmy and said yes we should go out. A day later, I said I couldn’t. I just wasn’t ready to date. I was in agony for a week. Then I thought I can’t even remember what he looked liked. While walking around the next week-it was him! We greeted each other, he walked over, and I apologized. He said, well let’s try it again, and we did. That started my summer fling, seven years ago.

I arrived in Ketchikan ready for a new life after a rare tornado in Tampa rearranged my old one. On the suggestion of a friend who lived in Juneau, I took a job at a tour company in Ketchikan. Though I enjoyed my work, I really didn’t have anywhere to go after I was done. My unfurnished studio on Creek Street offered zero stimulation; I found a little pub called The Asylum. The name somehow resonated with me and soon served as my de facto living room after work. It had it all, television, beer, and free peanuts. Pretty much everything I thought I needed. Another great part about the place was the free newspaper that helped educate me about what was going on around me in this crazy new place. It was kind of a lifeline to me and when I came back to my seat that day in the spring of 2011, I was a little taken aback when Sue and her friends had taken over my little corner of the universe. I cautiously approached and introduced myself. Sue was bright and friendly and kept asking me all these questions about myself. I was flattered and surprised. I hadn’t met such a nice person in the two months I had been there and was immediately taken with her. However, I didn’t want to appear too forward and explained that my one friend in town was waiting for me down the street for our weekly video game of Golden Tee golf. I quickly got her number and left. It was all a bit heady and new. I wasn’t really sure what to make of the situation. About a half an hour later I saw her walking down the street and stuck my head out the door. We quickly said hi again and then I reached out to shake her hand. She held my hand for an extra second. Her hands were so warm and inviting. It was the most incredible thing. I knew in that instant that she and I were going places together. I just never realized how far.

It was February and our trip to Hawaii was coming to an end. We had explored Oahu and Kauai thoroughly. Whale watching on Maui for Sue and her office mates extended our vacation. I was fine staying on my own on the other side of the island pursuing manly activities- golfing and watching the Super Bowl. A few days later, fate intervened. An uncomfortable evening at their Airbnb proved less than ideal, the resort venue changed to Lahaina. Incredible! Views! Overlooking the ocean, it also had plenty of room. Sue called and invited me to join them. The next day the girls came back across the island to pick me up. On the way back, a strange sign started to appear to me. There was an explosion of sunflowers emerging along the freeway under the West Maui Mountains. It was so unexpected; we pulled over to take in their beauty. We rushed out of the car and stood amongst a sea of sunflowers – bonding for a moment, realizing the absolute beauty surrounding us. I grabbed Sue and kissed her while Tanya surprisingly caught our moment. The next day, whale watching was all about mating. They put on quite a show - we watched the females slapping their tales about and the males making a big show leaping to impress the ladies. It made me realize I had the best partner for life. Although the estrogen was thick, hanging out with the girls was turning out to be more fun than I expected. The wonderful Keto dinner, drinks and a few games of Farkle rounded our evening as the sun was setting. I took Sue out to the balcony and IT became clear to me there was no reason to wait any longer. She was right for me, I was right for her and the time is right for us. I guess I mumbled – wouldn’t it be nice to get married? I had to repeat myself three times before she asked – what’s the question? Will you marry me? I blurted. And she said Yes!