Tommy and I met when he was 13 and I was 15. We quickly became close and it wasn't long before we were hanging out all the time. We shared the same interests, music, going to gigs, thrift shopping for clothes we couldn't find "at the mall" and enjoying our friends.

We were always at each other's homes, and when I was doing modeling and beauty pageants, Tommy was there each time. Over the course of about 5 years, we were almost always together. Our friendship grew and we were together as a couple when I was a senior and then again when he was a senior and out of school.

We went our separate ways for a while, but he was always there in the background. We each married other people, had children, and got divorced. Over the last few years, things began to be like it used to be with us. Hanging out, getting together for our children's birthdays, playing poker and listening to him play his guitar.

Our friendship grew again and has grown into a mature relationship. The time is right for us now and we look forward to spending our life together with our family.

Tommy proposed to me at the Hotel Del Coronado on February 16th, 2008. We were at the 1500 Ocean Restaurant, mid-way through the beef course and he got up and knelt down. My heart jumped into my chest. I still can't believe I am finally marrying the man of my dreams. It's true what they say. If you love something, let it go. If it comes back it was always yours. If it never does, then it never was. It took about 17 years for him to come back, but it was so worth the wait! :-)

We are getting married on Coronado on May 18th, 2008. The ceremony will take place right on the beach. It is considered South Beach, but if you are at the Del and walk out to the beach, you just walk south down the strand about 30 feet and that is where the ceremony will take place.

There is a public parking lot a little farther south off of Avenida De Las Arenas. You can park there and walk north up the strand toward the Del for about 5 minutes and you will see the ceremony site, or you can pay a little and park at the Del. From the Del, just go into the lobby and walk downstairs through the bar and cafe area toward the beach. Go to the strand and walk south about 30 feet. You can't miss it.

The public parking lot is: 1798 Silver Strand Blvd, Coronado, CA 92118 and Avenida De Las Arenas or you can pay and park at the Hotel Del. The Del is closer to the ceremony site.

The ceremony will be at 2pm. I expect the weather to be nice and a little breezy in the sunlight. The tide will be out and the view is breathtaking.

I hope all of you can make it. Most of you have known Tommy and I since high school. Some of you knew we were together, some of you didn't. This is a special day for us. We can finally love one another openly, freely as a couple for the rest of our lives.

Thank you for sharing it with us.

The Reception will start at 3pm with hors d'oeuvres and will dinner will be at 4pm.

The location is about 10 minutes off of the island at the Silver Star Events North Park Hall.

The address is: 3795 Utah Street San Diego, California 92104

Here are the directions from the ceremony site:

A: 1798 Silver Strand Blvd, Coronado, CA 92118 1: Start out going NORTHEAST on AVENIDA DE LAS ARENAS toward SILVER STRAND BLVD/CA-75 N. 0.0 mi 2: Turn LEFT onto SILVER STRAND BLVD/CA-75 N. Continue to follow CA-75 N. 0.4 mi 3: Turn RIGHT onto GLORIETTA BLVD. 0.3 mi 4: Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto POMONA AVE. 0.6 mi 5: Turn RIGHT onto 4TH ST/FOURTH ST/CA-75 S. Continue to follow CA-75 S. 1.9 mi 6: Merge onto I-5 N toward DOWNTOWN. 1.1 mi 7: Take the PERSHING DR exit, EXIT 15B, toward CIVIC CENTER. 0.1 mi 8: Merge onto PERSHING DR. 2.2 mi 9: PERSHING DR becomes UPAS ST. 0.1 mi 10: Turn LEFT onto UTAH ST. 0.4 mi 11: End at 3795 Utah St San Diego, CA 92104-3531 Estimated Time: 14 minutesEstimated Distance: 7.20 miles

It's going to be a great time. Can't wait to see you all there. :-)

Coronado is a beautiful island and has a variety of lodging options that range in price. If you would like to stay on the island the night before or after the wedding, please go to the site listed below and check for hotels on Corondao.