In a far away land called Modesto; lived a sweet little girl named Wendy.  She was blessed with wonderful parents and a household with many siblings, where she lived a typical first generation Vietnamese American life. Her life was just beginning and little did she know at 15 years old, her story would be reflected upon years later.  She enjoyed spending time with her friends and  her family. She was bubbly, beautiful, smart, outgoing and a go-getter!  During one fateful visit to her cousins Jenny, Mary, John, and Ty in Stockton; would be the beginning of what will be referred to as forever. Wendy locked eyes with a handsome young fella, who was friends with her cousin John. They called him Michael also known as Mikey or Mike. It was love at first sight. She was smitten and her eyes had a twinkle that everyone saw. There was no denying, something quite special was happening.  She naturally found herself spending more and more time in Stockton where this handsome fella also, happen to always be at.  He even invited her & her cousins for many swim play dates as friends over at his house.  One warm summer day, John decided to take the role of match making into his own hands since Wendy was too shy to really put herself out there.  John called out the white elephant in the room by saying, “Michael! Wendy thinks you’re cute!”  Wendy was flushed with rose red cheeks of embarrassment, by her cousin’s action and gave him the side eye, yet was intrigued to quickly look over with hope that Michael would not respond negatively. She was nervous and felt like hours was passing by before Michael responded to the comment. Her heart was racing and didn’t know if this would be the happiest moment of her young life or the worst.  At last, Michael smirks and responds “oh..thanks..”  Perhaps he was shy too and didn’t know how to respond. That must have been it. Clearly he had to of been flattered! Wendy was definitely a catch! It turns out he just was playing it cool. He too, was smitten with Wendy all along!!!!  Not too long after that, they found themselves talking over the phone quite often.  In today’s world, you can refer to that as “cup caking,  whipped, sprung, head over heels” and slowly started to fall hard for each other.  Michael was brave enough one day to use the most romantic holiday to ask Wendy out on a date. None other than Valentine’s Day was their first date on 02/14/2007!!!  Now if this date went on without problems, that could mean instant happily ever right? Of course, that’s not how it immediately worked out.  They were on their way to a roller skating rink and his car breaks down!!! Poor fella was embarrassed and wanted to make a good first impression and was dealt with this. He thought for sure this date was doomed because his parents had to come rescue them on their first attempted date!!! He knew he had to think fast to make sure she was still interested in him despite this inconvenience.  They decided to walk around as they waited to be rescued. Surprisingly, Michael found that Wendy was so down to earth and wasn’t bothered by his broken down car and found themselves talking and enjoying the time.  Michael couldn’t resist and had to seal the deal!! As nervous, excited, hopeful as Michael could be, he looks at Wendy and asks “would you be my girlfriend?”  Wendy was so happy & thrilled, so of course she said yes!!!!!  They managed to not let distance, school, work,  or anything get in the way of their budding romance. Over a decade, plus later.. These two are still best friends, soul mates & have no doubt they have found the one within each other. They are unstoppable and can’t wait to continue to grow old together and share so many more memories ahead.  Now the next chapter begins. Hopefully, with you all by their side. Here’s to Happily Ever After & Forever & Always, For Better & For Worse, til death do us part!