For Mother's Day 1999, my oldest daughter, Autumn, surprised me with a unique gift by sending me to my 30th class reunion. This gift has proven to be a life-changing blessing for our families and friends. This photograph was taken on June 13, 1999, by my sister Dell Otsuka, in front of the Kamehameha Schools' Girls' dormitory as the last six people from our class were leaving the dorms. Our friends, Walt and Eda Kaneakua, and Pat and Pam Nakoa, have been married for nearly 30 years. Now, as Sam and I are united in marriage, we are blessed to have our family and friends around us to share in our joy as we begin our lives together.

After this picture was taken, all of us - except Sam - went to Kenny's restaurant to have lunch. Chatting over lunch, I commented about how blessed I felt to be with couples who have been together for such a long time and that, someday, I hoped that God would send me a godly man so that I could experience that kind of lasting marriage. Eda looked me in the eyes - taking me by complete surprise - and said, "Why don't you marry a good Hawaiian boy. How about Sam?"

With me living in Washington and Sam in Hawaii, we began writing and talking on the phone where we established a friendship that unveiled many common values, experiences, priorities, and a deep and abiding love for each other and our families. It's taken a great deal of patience, commitment, vision, and a loving God to bring us to where we are today. And, so... "Here we are in this Holy Place together bearing witness as the two of us become man and wife."

And, we have God - who did indeed bring me a godly man - and the mutual acceptance and love of our children to thank for this union.
Aloha Ke Akua!!
(Jeremiah 29:11 and Micah 6:8)