It was a crisp fall afternoon in 2021,

and Shirley and Jon was on their way to meet for their first date at the famed Ramen Nagi in Palo Alto….

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her story

Jon, a boy with Plan B

Shirley arrived fashionably late (as one does) and spotted a mature-looking guy in a tan bomber jacket waiting outside. “Is that him?” she wondered, giving a tentative wave. “Oh, hi Shirley!” he greeted with an easy grin — confident, kind, and ready. But her excitement dimmed when she noticed the massive line snaking out the door. A man with no plan, she thought grimly. I hate waiting in line for food. Before she could suggest a pivot, Jon leaned in and said, “So... the wait here’s crazy. Good thing I made a Plan B — there’s an Indian place across the street with our name on it.” Shirley blinked, impressed. A man with a plan... and a backup plan? That was the exact moment she realized Jon might just be the one.

her story

Jon, a boy with Plan B

Shirley arrived fashionably late (as one does) and spotted a mature-looking guy in a tan bomber jacket waiting outside. “Is that him?” she wondered, giving a tentative wave. “Oh, hi Shirley!” he greeted with an easy grin — confident, kind, and ready. But her excitement dimmed when she noticed the massive line snaking out the door. A man with no plan, she thought grimly. I hate waiting in line for food. Before she could suggest a pivot, Jon leaned in and said, “So... the wait here’s crazy. Good thing I made a Plan B — there’s an Indian place across the street with our name on it.” Shirley blinked, impressed. A man with a plan... and a backup plan? That was the exact moment she realized Jon might just be the one.

His story

Shirley, a girl with a spontaneous spirit

Jon knew three things before the first date: Shirley loved the outdoors, lived in Sunnyvale (basically a long-distance relationship by Bay Area standards), and liked ramen. Two of those turned out to be true. Feeling prepared, Jon picked a trendy ramen joint — casual, popular, perfect. Except when they arrived, it was packed. (And, minor detail, Shirley didn’t even like ramen.) Time for Plan B. After lunch, Jon suggested a walk — maybe the Stanford Dish, maybe the Bay Trail. Shirley was instantly game. They wandered, they talked, they laughed, and what was meant to be a quick date stretched into four hours. When Shirley casually suggested dinner afterward, Jon realized he wasn’t just intrigued — he was hooked. That day set the tone for everything that followed: Jon plans, Shirley improvises, and somehow, together, it always turns into something wonderful.

His story

Shirley, a girl with a spontaneous spirit

Jon knew three things before the first date: Shirley loved the outdoors, lived in Sunnyvale (basically a long-distance relationship by Bay Area standards), and liked ramen. Two of those turned out to be true. Feeling prepared, Jon picked a trendy ramen joint — casual, popular, perfect. Except when they arrived, it was packed. (And, minor detail, Shirley didn’t even like ramen.) Time for Plan B. After lunch, Jon suggested a walk — maybe the Stanford Dish, maybe the Bay Trail. Shirley was instantly game. They wandered, they talked, they laughed, and what was meant to be a quick date stretched into four hours. When Shirley casually suggested dinner afterward, Jon realized he wasn’t just intrigued — he was hooked. That day set the tone for everything that followed: Jon plans, Shirley improvises, and somehow, together, it always turns into something wonderful.

Our story

Building rituals

3 years into their relationship, Shirley and Jon have settled into a perfect dynamic where their differences truly make them stronger. Despite their differences, they are both adventurous and enjoy new challenges in life. Together, they constantly challenge and uplift each other, celebrating every 'first time' experience as they build their life in San Francisco.

Our story

Building rituals

3 years into their relationship, Shirley and Jon have settled into a perfect dynamic where their differences truly make them stronger. Despite their differences, they are both adventurous and enjoy new challenges in life. Together, they constantly challenge and uplift each other, celebrating every 'first time' experience as they build their life in San Francisco.

a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
woman in wedding dress while holding flower during daytime
Woman in red outfit poses by a red telephone booth.
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
woman in wedding dress while holding flower during daytime
Woman in red outfit poses by a red telephone booth.
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
woman in wedding dress while holding flower during daytime
Woman in red outfit poses by a red telephone booth.

Feb 19, 2022

It's offical!

"Do you want to go out with me?" Jon asked. Unfamiliar with the term, Shirley responded: "Go out? Go where? Aren't we at Big Sur already?"

Feb 19, 2022

It's offical!

"Do you want to go out with me?" Jon asked. Unfamiliar with the term, Shirley responded: "Go out? Go where? Aren't we at Big Sur already?"

Feb 19, 2022

It's offical!

"Do you want to go out with me?" Jon asked. Unfamiliar with the term, Shirley responded: "Go out? Go where? Aren't we at Big Sur already?"

a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
Woman in wedding dress while holding flower during daytime
Woman in red outfit poses by a red telephone booth.
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
Woman in wedding dress while holding flower during daytime
Woman in red outfit poses by a red telephone booth.

MAR 26, 2022

First Time Driving the RV (Road Trip)

This trip included the moment Shirley accidentally splashed black water on Jon's face... Luckily, the honeymoon period was still in full swing!

MAR 26, 2022

First Time Driving the RV (Road Trip)

This trip included the moment Shirley accidentally splashed black water on Jon's face... Luckily, the honeymoon period was still in full swing!

MAR 26, 2022

First Time Driving the RV (Road Trip)

This trip included the moment Shirley accidentally splashed black water on Jon's face... Luckily, the honeymoon period was still in full swing!

a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
woman in wedding dress while holding flower during daytime
Woman in red outfit poses by a red telephone booth.
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
woman in wedding dress while holding flower during daytime
Woman in red outfit poses by a red telephone booth.

jun 10, 2022

First Backpacking Trip

Shirley admits this grueling trek was a covert 'candidate test' for Jon... he passed

jun 10, 2022

First Backpacking Trip

Shirley admits this grueling trek was a covert 'candidate test' for Jon... he passed

jun 10, 2022

First Backpacking Trip

Shirley admits this grueling trek was a covert 'candidate test' for Jon... he passed

a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
woman in wedding dress while holding flower during daytime
Woman in red outfit poses by a red telephone booth.
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
woman in wedding dress while holding flower during daytime
Woman in red outfit poses by a red telephone booth.

SEP 25, 2022

First Music Festival

life isn't just about physical challenge, this was their first dive into the music festival scene.

SEP 25, 2022

First Music Festival

life isn't just about physical challenge, this was their first dive into the music festival scene.

SEP 25, 2022

First Music Festival

life isn't just about physical challenge, this was their first dive into the music festival scene.

a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
woman in wedding dress while holding flower during daytime
Woman in red outfit poses by a red telephone booth.
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
woman in wedding dress while holding flower during daytime
Woman in red outfit poses by a red telephone booth.

June 9, 2023

First Time Homeowners

Slowly but surely making San Francisco home, one renovation at a time.

June 9, 2023

First Time Homeowners

Slowly but surely making San Francisco home, one renovation at a time.

June 9, 2023

First Time Homeowners

Slowly but surely making San Francisco home, one renovation at a time.

a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
woman in wedding dress while holding flower during daytime
Woman in red outfit poses by a red telephone booth.
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
woman in wedding dress while holding flower during daytime
Woman in red outfit poses by a red telephone booth.

June 9, 2023

First Half Marathon

Together Chasing that endorphin high

June 9, 2023

First Half Marathon

Together Chasing that endorphin high

June 9, 2023

First Half Marathon

Together Chasing that endorphin high

a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
woman in wedding dress while holding flower during daytime
Woman in red outfit poses by a red telephone booth.
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
a woman in a dress sitting on a couch
woman in wedding dress while holding flower during daytime
Woman in red outfit poses by a red telephone booth.

Dec 23, 2024

First Time Getting Engaged!!

Their biggest 'first' yet! (And yes, Shirley even showed Jon the wrong hand when he proposed.)

Dec 23, 2024

First Time Getting Engaged!!

Their biggest 'first' yet! (And yes, Shirley even showed Jon the wrong hand when he proposed.)

Dec 23, 2024

First Time Getting Engaged!!

Their biggest 'first' yet! (And yes, Shirley even showed Jon the wrong hand when he proposed.)

Now, it's time to celebrate our biggest 'first time' yet—our wedding! We can't wait to share this adventure with all of you. We've cherished every spontaneous adventure and planned ritual of building this life together, and the best part is that you've all been a part of it. Many of you have joined us on a challenging hike, or witnessed one of Shirley's ambitious "Type B" travel plans come to life. Now, it's time for the biggest celebration of all—our first time getting married!

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© DESIGN & BUILT BY SHIRLEY

© DESIGN & BUILT BY SHIRLEY