Ryan and Rachell

It was a perfect, California summer day and we took full advantage by celebrating our engagement with family and friends. Ryan’s Mom, Patty, flew out from Illinois to help host a great, backyard party. My Mom, Flora, spent the past three weeks redecorating her home and cooking furiously in order to host our growing community. I loved watching Patty mingle and chat with everyone so easily! Julie Vanloan, my soon-to-be bridesmaid and dear friend from grad school decorated the backyard with lanterns and tea lights.

Everyone there and all the effort put into the day made us feel incredibly blessed; Ryan and I continue to be humbled at the community we share. We are hopeful for the ways they will challenge and love and support us as a couple - we’ve never wanted to approach marriage as a solo mission. Thank you to all the friends and family that came out for wine and good food, and especially, to share in our excitement.

We are counting down the days…

Just a little note to let you know that Rachell and I are registered at a few places across the country (and online). Take a look through our registry.

I was allowed to register for some less traditional items, but if you’re looking for something even more out of the ordinary, Rachell and I would also welcome lift tickets or hotel stays in Lake Tahoe!

We know some of our guests will be making large sacrifices to travel quite a distance to join us, so please remember that your attendance is the greatest gift.

Not for the light stomach, here are some cute, but mostly gross, tidbits about us…

• We both drink soy milk, but still enjoy the occasional ice cream and cheese
• Both of our homes have a room with the same deep red colored walls
• Our first names both start with the same letter
• In Scrabble, our full names are worth the same amount of points: 43
• When we started dating, our cars had the exact same mileage on them
• Both of us have relatives born in Argentina (I have hundreds, Ryan has one)
• We both don’t burp
• We both think Kelly Clarkson is anything but a guilty pleasure
• Both of our cell phones have always had the same ringtone (the old phone ring)