Anna and I met for a midday walk along West Cliff on a breezy, brisk afternoon in January 2022. I remember seeing her in the distance, walking toward our meeting spot, and thinking, “I hope that’s her.” It was, and she was radiant. Our second date felt like confirmation: an effortless, playful seven-hour stretch of appetizers, shooting pool, walking downtown, and dinner.

Since that day, Anna has continued to surprise me with her talent for making the ordinary feel special and her creativity and thoughtfulness. Here’s an example: each Christmas, she creates a hardcover book of our year filled with photos, notes, and the tiny moments that would otherwise slip by. The first year we were together, she made me a vinyl LP: love songs on one side and tracks from concerts we’d seen on the other, complete with her own design and artwork on the sleeve. She gives wholeheartedly, is the greatest planner and travel partner, and has reinforced that family and friends are the most important thing there is.

Some of our favorite moments are still the simple ones: eating lunch on the deck with Hannah sunbathing nearby, slow Saturday walks to Verve, nightly tea, or an impromptu dinner out. We’ve also enjoyed working on and settling into our home, exploring Portugal, Italy, Mexico, and sleepy coastal towns along Northern California, and caring for Hannah, our Maltipoo who rules the roost.

Looking ahead, we hope life always feels a bit like that first day by the coast: breezy with gentle sun and full of promise and love.