Robert & Eileen Mendez Wedding 03-25-22 Santa Barbara, Ca. at East Beach & Cabrillo Pavilion

Our Story-

The Adventures of Robert and Eileen (and Remy, I guess)

Robert and Eileen first met at a Christmas movie night in December of 2018.

In May of 2019, they then met again at a young adult group at church. At the end of the night, Robert noticed that Eileen was sitting behind him and started talking with her because he thought she was lonely and didn’t know anyone at the group (or at least, so he says). They discussed everything from their faith in Christ, and knowledge of other religions to their love for Disney, and the latest release of the live action Aladdin movie. Throughout the conversation, Robert noticed Eileen’s calm and peaceful demeanor, and Eileen took note of Robert’s charisma and enthusiasm for life.

After that first real interaction, Robert and Eileen spent the rest of the summer trying to spend as much time as possible together while Eileen was preparing to leave for China in August. A week before Eileen left for China Robert told Eileen that he had feelings for her, to which she responded that she also had feelings for him. They agreed that they would stay in contact while she was in China.

In February of 2020, Eileen came home from China and found herself unable to return due to what would eventually unravel into a pandemic. Robert and Eileen reconnected again at this point. Robert then surprised Eileen with a trip to Disneyland and though he insisted that they were going as friends, he then asked Eileen while in line for California Soarin’ if this trip qualified as a date.

On March 27, 2020, Robert asked Eileen to be his girlfriend at Avila beach, where they had first hung out together back in July of 2019. Since then, they have spent a lot more time at the beach, gone on numerous road trips up and down California, lots of COVID dates in the car, lots of hikes, checked off bucket list items together, and most recently, got engaged surrounded by close friends on a yacht near Santa Barbara! It may have taken a pandemic to bring them together, but hey, there have been stranger stories… ;)

Video Credit: Kyle Maxwell and Jonah McGehee

Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to the music.