Back in college, I was the person that took care of the church mailing lists. Whenever someone wanted to be added or removed from the email list, I would be the one to do it. One fine day, I got an email from Frances telling me to put a new name on the email list. That name was Cindy...

It was June 11, 2000, and a bunch of us were watching Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Warring apartment while having a BBQ. Halfway through the party, a very cute girl walks through the door with Josh and Amy. Knowing that I had absolutely no chance with her, I didn’t even bother introducing myself and just enjoyed the game. My first opportunity to speak with her was towards the end of the evening when I was introduced to her. I found out her name was Cindy. I thought to myself, “Ah… that’s the girl from the mailing list.” Since I already had her email, it wasn’t hard to contact her that week...

June 18, 2000. Our fellowship was having a picnic at the park. Cindy and her roommate were invited, but they had GRE classes in the morning until the afternoon, and I didn’t know whether they would show up or not. Eventually, Cindy showed up, and for some reason, she started talking to me. From the very beginning, we hit it off, and I felt like I could talk about anything with her. I was still anti-relationships, though...

July 4, 2000. A bunch of us were supposed to show up at Jack London Square to watch the fireworks. Somehow, everyone else bailed except for Cindy and me. We found out later that this was a “planned” bailing. In either case, Cindy and I had a great time getting to know one another, and afterwards, we ate at Hot Pot City together for the first time. Seeing that she enjoyed Hot Pot City almost as much as I did, I knew this was definitely a match made in heaven...

July 31, 2000. My memories of that summer are some of the most intense memories of my life. Cindy and I spent a lot of time together getting to know one another. We had our DTR that night. Even up to that point, neither of us was “really” sure that we liked each other. A lot of questions were answered that night, and with much prayer, we embarked on a journey together...

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Cindy and I have been “inseparable” ever since. Though distance apart has always played a part in our relationship, I know we are both looking forward to this next chapter in our lives. When choosing the location of our wedding, it was only natural that we would choose the area where we fell in love, the Bay Area.

Having gotten involved in psychology research as an undergrad, I was ecstatic to find out that I got accepted to the UC Berkeley summer research program in 2000. Not only would I be able to do research, it was my first time away from home. I soon looked for a college fellowship group - to make a long story short, I ended up getting put on the mailing list of such a group shortly before I left Minnesota.

Reading the emails gave me a taste of what it was like to live a college life away from home. As an outsider looking in, I read about all the different Bible studies, games, and of course, hang out places. In fact, one activity was going to be held at "Harvard's Place." Cool, I thought. That must be some sort of cafe or something.

A few emails later, I discovered the truth. "Harvard's Place" was really Harvard's - that is, someone named Harvard's apartment. I shared this with my mom and we laughed all the way to the airport, where she dropped me off.

I met the infamous Harvard the day I arrived in California. "That's him! That's the guy!" I thought. I kept myself from asking about how he got his name, and politely shook his hand as he introduced himself to me. He seemed like a nice guy.

From there on, Harvard continued to be a "nice guy." A little too nice, my summer roommate Jeanne would say (she thought he was up to no good). Was she right? Harvard would come by to fix my Internet, drop off stuff for me, and give me directions. Later, he'd give me rides to church, to the grocery store, and then... personal tours to the city, the Marina and to Lawrence Berkeley Labs to see the night sky.

There were some rocky moments as we got to know each other. Although I thought he was very kind (always offering to give rides), he sure asked a lot of personal questions for a guy who barely knew me! I got testy at times and even argumentative. But this only spurred on more discussion and debate, which meant more time "hanging out."

Forty plus restaurants (and 15 pounds later!), we had to come to terms with what was going on. Fantastic conversations, mutual encouragement, and great fun definitely trumped any confusion I might have had. I couldn't have been happier with how things unfolded. Only by God's grace could have this ever have worked out.

Thank you for celebrating with us our story and our future!

One night, five and a half years ago, Harvard took Cindy up to Lawrence Berkeley Labs. In the night sky (and near the giant DNA molecule), they viewed the city lights from the hill...and interviewed one another for the position of dating partner. The interview process was ongoing as it took several rounds over the summer months. Additional rounds of interviews took place at various locations including Hot Pot City, Everett & Jones Ribs, Churches Chicken, and the International House dormitory. After careful thought and deliberation, both of them eventually accepted the position towards the end of summer.

Staying with the company involved telecommuting between Minnesota to California, to Oregon to California. But even then, promotions ensued. Cindy was promoted to VP of Relationship Operations and then to being the CEO of the Relationship Corp. Harvard was originally a venture capitalist funding the company, but was later made a member of the Board of Directors.

But then on Friday, January 6, 2006, Harvard brought Cindy to Skates' Restaurant in Berkeley. After having a scrumptuous dinner, he took her back to Lawrence Berkeley Labs, got down on one knee, and offered her tenure at Harvard, a package that came with benefits lasting for life (no layoffs!). Of course, it was a proposal that she could not refuse :)

Anyways...thank you friends for all your love the past several years. We are thankful that God (the Chairman of the Board of Directors) has placed YOU in our lives. The date will likely be sometime this September or October. Please please pray for us in the next year as we prepare for our wedding and our marriage. We ask that you pray for wisdom as we approach with all the preparations and for His glory in all that we do. It's only through Him that THIS corporation ever got started.

Harvard (member of the Board of Directors) and Cindy (CEO)