We met on November 16, 2007.
Since our first date — a lunch at a short-lived Wolfgang Puck restaurant in the Walker Art Center — we have had months of long-distance romance; moved together more than six times, two of which were across the country; experienced births and deaths together; become guncles many times over; and seen several of our loved ones wed. But we’ve never officially exchanged our vows.
We’ll be taking that step at last at St. Peter’s Chapel on Mare Island in Vallejo on the afternoon of Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. Pacific Time.
This year is our shotgun wedding.
Recent Supreme Court opinions have made clear that Obergefell v. Hodges, the decision that gave us the right to marry, is in peril. That decision is younger than our fifth anniversary, when we established our anniversary tradition. Considering the potential judicial and political chaos ahead, we wanted to formally register our marriage in the state of California before the year is out. In addition to exchanging our vows, we wanted to open up our anniversary tradition to some of the people in our lives we love most.
Next year, we plan to toast around the country.
If you’re not in the Bay Area or can’t join us for this year’s events, we hope you’ll come toast the 18th year of our romance with us somewhere else in the continental U.S. We are planning a series of brunches, karaoke nights, and other events in cities that have played a big role in our journey together. And on our 18th anniversary, we plan to renew our vows.
