During our wedding planning days, Thomas caught Leslie almost setting fire to her apartment as she tried to burn the edges of the invitations to give them an authentic Tolkein-style feel. Over Christmas, Michelle Driskill (maid of honor) took engagement photos for Leslie and Thomas on a beach in California and Nan Cano, Leslie's high school teacher, threw a shower, while Leslie's dad had an engagement party. Michelle helped Leslie with the invitations and the 10 paged program. Leslie's other maid of honor, Rebecca Poon, designed a beautiful scrapbook filled with wedding blessings and receipes for marriage from family and friends.

On June 16, 2002, the ceremony began with Joan Han Tsao and Katy French (Leslie's graduate school friends) playing guitar and singing praise at our ceremony. Katy opened the ceremony with a prayer and Joan composed a song for us. Garret Lum and Joe Montano (Thomas' college buddies) presented the readings. None of us have heard bible verses read so dramatically. Kathryn McMurry (Leslie's colleague) ended our ceremony with a healing prayer, a special "gift of love" that Leslie requested Kathryn provide for all our guests.

Our reception began with toasts by Leslie's father, Thomas' brother Eric, Michelle Driskill and Esther Ra (bridesmaids), Reed Carlson (Leslie's hiking buddy) and Leslie. Al Chun (groomsman) and Jon Kim (Thomas' Taekwondo buddy) performed voice and guitar for Elvis Presley's Love Me Tender. Janis Castenada (who helped to get Leslie in shape for the wedding) presented Leslie and Thomas a Native American Wedding Vase which we used to wash our hands before cutting the cake. Then, Thomas and his college friends Chel Menchavez (groomsman), Leslie Maralit, Marlan Maralit (groomsman), Mike Reyes (groomsman) surprised Leslie with a routine from their crazy dancing college days. This was the highlight of the wedding for Leslie!

The reception ended with a father-daughter and mother-son dance in which Leslie's father tried to out dance Thomas and his mother. However, Thomas regained his composure when he and Leslie surprised everyone including themselves with a sizzling salsa dance. The evening ended all too soon with an explosion of fancy dance moves within the castle and romantic moments in the garden for those who wanted to savor the lingering moonlight.

As we part our ways after this celebration, we hope that you will find much peace, beauty, harmony, and happiness in your lives. Thank you for playing such an important role in our life journey. Everyone has enriched our lives with their love and friendship over the years and we extend our heartfelt love and blessings to you and yours.