We wed!

12/31/07
It is a sunny mild day on New Year’s Eve in Santa Cruz. The family has found their soba noodles to “ring in the new year” tonight, in true Japanese fashion.

The last two weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind, at least in my mind thinking back on it now, that makes it feel so!

Mom and Frank came into town from the East Coast on the 18th.
Naomi also flew in on the 20th, along with her friend. Taka went to pick them up, while Mom, Frank and I went to a game Zen’s team had. Zen didn’t get to play much, but the one shot he attempted at that game was caught on film and published in the Sata Cruz Sentinal the next day- which we got to see at our wedding reception lunch after our marriage ceremony! Quite the “icing on the cake” of the day!

Our marriage ceremony took place on a cliff near Santa Cruz, overlooking New Brighton Beach. A place my Uncle Lynn showed us, where he used to- literally hang out- on trees hanging over the cliffs! (Since fallen into the seas below!)


Rains, which were very needed here in California, had fallen over the two previous days. This grand day, though, was sunny and pretty perfect. Some of my family, and then my old dear friend Ana's family made up the group there for the vows and our exchanging rings, which happened to also be unique? Other friends who are jewelers, gave us the idea to buy one wedding band and slice it apart, part for me and part for Taka. We wear bands that were originally "one".

Next we went to Uncle Lynn and Lorraine's home nearby for a taost- to love!!
This is Zen with his Great Grandmom~



Ana's photographer friend, Sally, could come on very short notice (called two days earlier!) We posed as she directed. Many photos were sweet and not necessarily like how we would ever pose- but this was a rare chance,and we did play the part, and enjoyed everyone's love and care!


Finally, for this day "our day",  December 21st, we went for a scrumptious lunch at the Cruz Cafe.