Our Story

We enjoyed many late-night outings with friends in downtown OKC. We were in our mid-20s; could you blame us? ;)

We thank our buddy, Jackie, for match-making us. She went to college with Cecille and was stationed in Florida and Oklahoma with Ronelle.

After 2 months of knowing each other, Cecille moved to Japan for work in March 2020. We were off to the races with long-distance!

As soon as Cecille landed, the uncertainties of COVID-19 onset in Japan (and in the US.) With quarantine and social distancing in effect, we weren't sure when we'd see each other next.

...So we settled for many Facetime dates! Here's a photo from when we both decided to make spam musubi despite our 15hr time difference.

Ronelle went on a limb and asked his Commander if he could PCS to Japan. His request was granted!

After one year of long-distance dating, we were reunited and begun our adventures together in Okinawa, Japan.

A photo from our first night. Ronelle cooked Nilaga (Filipino beef soup with veggies.)

Sunset beers every week.

Okinawa sunsets are unreal.

Okinawa got pretty rainy. Turtle loved it...... not.

Good times with good friends.

Turtle's sunbathing location in Ronelle's apartment.

Our first experience in a Japanese onsen/ryokan (bath house/hotel with meals served in your room!)

What we'd do to transport back in time to enjoy izakayas with friends again.

We enjoyed Japanese bakeries. Pastries were never too sweet!

Photo taken at TeamLabs, Tokyo in 2022.

Cecille surprised Ronelle during a TDY (with the help of the Russos!) by flying in his parents to Alaska. He hadn't seen them in a year, and he wasn't sure when he'd see them next due to covid.

Brought our dads on a helo ride to Knik Glacier, Alaska (2022.)

Knik Glacier visit during a TDY to Anchorage, Alaska in 2022.

One of our favorite cafes in Okinawa-- known for an obscene amount of shisa statues attop their roof.

Carpets of flowers!!!

Exploring the flower farms in Furano, Hokkaido, JP

We visited the Philippines in 2022-- Ronelle's second time, only followed by his first visit when he was 5. Pictured here was a boat ride, thanks fto Cecille's cousins.

The boat was loud lol.

Got to try milling rice without any machinery In Banaue, PH.

...Though it came with a price... A 0.5mile hike from our vehicle down to the village where we stayed.

Rice fields in Banaue!

More Banaue.

We were certain that someone popped/slashed our tires while we were galavanting. Good thing Ronelle knew how to change a tire!

The walk outside another ryokan/onsen, this time in Nagano.

Back in Okinawa at one of our fave izakayas. Yakitori quail eggs, pork-wrapped kimchi, and chicken skewers!

We survived our fugu (pufferfish) experience! Got to see it prepared right in front of us.

Go-Kart experience in Naha, Okinawa, JP. Cecille dressed like a poop and Ronelle was a character from Naruto.

Another Okinawan sunset.

Cecille's favorite lookout point on Cape Zanpa, Okinawa. The water would crash into the cliff and turn icy-blue beneath the foam.

Our friends, Kayla and Kevin visited from the States! We enjoyed Japanese cuisine and more onsens.... and milt. IYKYK.

Laura visited from TX!

Ice cream at Blue Seal-- benimo (Okinawan sweet potato) and choco/salt cookie soft serve. So fun when we get to share our fave spots with pals.

Lantern festival in Yomitan, JP.

MEATS.

We can smell the grilled meats through this photo. We are also salivating.

Rainy days never stopped us from finding an izakaya and grilled meats.

This delicious tori paitan (rich chicken ramen/soba) chemically altered our brains for life.

Street markets always had something good to eat.

Bamboo walkway in Arashiyama, Kyoto, JP.

Train station treat-- taiyaki, a fish-shaped pastry often filled with custard, bean paste, or something savory like ham and cheese.

But like many good stories, our chapter in Japan had to come to a close.

Goodbye ocean!

Goodbye highballs!

Turtle loved his travel carrier..........

Last night in Oki with our great friends, Yone, Manami, and Higa-san.

Goodbye, Okinawa-- for now!

Cherry blossom season greeted us as soon as we landed in Seattle-- our port of entry back to the uS. Things were going to be ok!

Catching up with friends in Porterville, Ronelle's hometown. Pictured are Brandt, Kevin Herrera, Kevin Vaughn, and Isabella.

After moving to Oklahoma City, we couldn't help but replicate the Japanese foods we loved... Pictured is Cecille working on her Okinawa soba recipe.

Our brother, Will, broke (and baked) bread with us. Milk bread! So squishy.

Lots of soups were eaten in that sweet apartment. Pictured is our pal and honorary-Filipino, Bry, and her pup, Sunny.

Cabbages was obsessed with Sunny. He would lick her armpits all day.

We took a couple trips to see friends and family. Washington DC with KC and Camila!

And Ronelle's bff, Victor.

Camping with the Evergreens and Joshua!

Cecille's brother, Eric, got married in San Antonio to his beautiful wife, Chi! Pictured are us + the Sorio cousins, posed naturally. A great time!

Ronelle finally drank the Koolaid and visited (THE) Texas A&M for gameday weekend, thanks to Laura, the Debolts, and Jessika! WHOOP!

We also adopted another dog-- Cabbages! We hoped that he would quell Turtle's separation anxiety. Turns out, Turtle couldn't care less for him... HA.

But as much as we loved Tinker AFB, Washington was calling our name. Our friend, Tom (TED) encouraged us to apply to the Western Air Defense Sector and showed us around the Tacoma area!

We met a lot of folks from the team downtown. Everyone was so welcoming. We applied to the job openings IMMEDIATELY.

And WE GOT HIRED!!!

AAAnd we got engaged!

Cecille screamed. Ronelle likely squished a beached jellyfish with his knee.

Ronelle moved to Washington first. Pictured is the bigfoot statue at the lobby of our entrance to the Western Air Defense Sector.

Cecille road-tripped with her dad, following Ronelle a few months later.

Father-daughter trip in Antelope Canyon, AZ, enroute Washington.

Ronelle was entrusted to find a home for us. He did a great job! Thanks to Shag, our realtor, for educating us the whole way! Thanks to the Bakers for letting Ronelle crash at the crib for a month!

Ronelle really got into fishing. And squatting, of course.

Cecille REALLY got into gardening. Pictured here are her monster Chinese broccoli.

Flowers from our garden (2025.)

Ronelle's family visited us to throw us a bridal shower. So sweet!!

Family trip to Mt. Rainier.

Cheers with Rainier beers!

Bridal shower in Washington with some of Cecille's best friends. It's all coming together.....

And Cecille found her dress! [DRESS REDACTED]. It was super special because she found a dress that perfectly complemented a pearl necklace gifted to her by her late Auntie Thel-- her mom's sister.

Photo credit to Camila! A sign at the dress appointment, with Auntie Thel's necklace.

Anyway, that's our story so far. SO LET'S GET MARRIED, EH?! PC: Andrea Baber, As You Wish Photography and our amazing neighbor!