We’re doing the Mr. and Mrs. thang!

For all the plots we see in films about technology taking over the world and making humans their slaves- this is a tale in which technology helped. How else would two people over 60 miles apart actually meet with no mutual friends or work to draw them together? But the world of social media didn’t do it alone- it took the unorthodox approach of Nicole taking the digital leap; making her presence known in a simple message through Instagram. An intrigued Mr. Haberkorn responded and before too long- the two were set to meet in 3-D with Little Tokyo as the backdrop. Was it going go be a disastrous train wreck of a dinner over japanese cusine and saké? Or the beginnings of something that would hold a spot in their minds for years to come? Amidst conversation and laughs over unraveling each other’s life experiences, Todd came bearing gifts- not flowers, not flashy baubles, but a little pack of candy. He threw down banana flavored Hi-Chews- harkening back to an earlier detail Nicole made in a text about a favorite flavor of candy. “When I saw those banana Hi-Chews...I knew this was different.” mentions Nicole, looking back on the moment. This innocuous sugary gesture kicked off what would be one of many adventures these two would experience from bioluminescent wave watching at Hunington Beach to Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland. And in between? Countless moments of both things said and unsaid that fleshed out the DNA of what both people have experienced in love, what they’ve learned, and what they want in the future. Not bad considering some of the obstacles in the way were a month long trip to Japan for Todd, busy professional lives for both, and oh, yeah- a pandemic. There are so many moments that encapsulate the roots that have sprouted to make the tree Todd and Nicole are building so strong- but they won’t fit here. Just know, the ingredients in their soil are trust, love, and respect. You’ll hear about the specifics at the wedding, right? #SeeYouThere

Nicole and I have found mutual friends in some lovely folks down the street, Keith and Val- they’re perfect specimens of the Golden Rule; treating people how you want to be treated. And as such, its always a thrill to trade smiles and laughs with them. Other many home cooked meals at their home, I started to float the idea of proposing to Nicole. Val and Keith, always up for an adventure- suggested, “let’s just do it here. We’ll set it up so Nicole won’t have a clue what’s going to happen.” This was key. Because Nicole always said she wanted the moment to be recorded or photographed. Well, how do you do that AND keep it a surprise? By wrapping the proposal in a red herring. Val, Keith, and their kids have a busy last quarter of a year full of birthdays and anniversaries- its actually pretty simple to throw a celebration with a photographer present under the guise of celebrating birthdays. Which is what we did. And it works great! Decorations were out, food was ordered, photographer was in place, but what happens when the bride to be calls in sick? The DAY of the matrimonial ambush? Do you spoil the surprise? (Thought about it.) Do you beg for their presence just for a little while? (Totally did that. Operation: Failed). Or do you cross your fingers and reschedule? The party ambush was postponed for a handful of weeks and the second attempt was wrought with worry about something, anything else popping up. But the only thing that was popped- was the question. The rest is being written into the history books of our lives as we speak :)

Contrary to popular belief, rubies are more rare than diamonds. And they’ve been involved in human existence since 200 BC, starting in China. The gem represents nobility, passion, and purity. I wanted to explore the road less traveled when deciding on what type of ring to get Nicole. Everyone knows about the captain of the football team, the diamond. But the ruby, with its long global legacy from being in the crowns of ancient kings all the way to slippers on the feet of a young girl from Kansas- the ruby has a storied past. And I’m glad we get to join the legendary fabric of this gem by adding our own adventure to the mix.