Brenda + Luca. Engaged.

Did you know that a cello weighs approximately twenty-five pounds? Well, to impress Luca, Brenda's fiance, she secretly took cello lessons and surprised him with a private concert, because she knows how important music is to him and his family. They're all virtuosos of one sort or another. She did this in between studying Italian via Skype twice a week, working 12 to 14 hour days, and traveling to Las Vegas from San Francisco where she is an Attorney. Yes, I mention the weight of the cello, because Brenda lugs it back and forth on her trips!! Luca, on the other hand, does very little compared to her. He only designs major architecture projects for high profile clientele so important that I can't even mention their names here because he had to sign confidentiality agreements (!) --- all the while he's also building his own personal construction project in Umbria. They're both what I would identify as "total slackers."

They haven't found time to nail down their destination wedding in Italy or to find a new place for them both to live - hard to wonder why! BUT they do find time for each other, and that's really the most important thing, isn't it? And to celebrate that important thing that they have - that lights up the room - that illustrates what it means to be compatible in every way - that gives us (especially me) an example of how to be kind and respectful but also fun and playful - Masa their dear mutual friend, who is the one responsible for this pairing, since they met at his wedding, whipped together, with the help of Kumiko, a fabulous surprise engagement party at the Cookhouse in San Francisco. 

We're all blessed to have Brenda and Luca in our lives and I can not wait to be with everyone in the gorgeous countryside of Italy celebrating the union of these two amazing human beings. We love you both through and through!

OH! And the best part is… Sofie, our long time friend, just happened to be visiting from Belgium with her new beaux, Cristof. AND Christina's dad was here visiting from Brazil (and to swim the bay in the Alcatraz Challenge Aquathlon + Swim with her husband!) The timing couldn't have been better for a reunion! 

And so…. some pix from the "surprise" engagement party….