Our Story
Our meeting was serendipitous. We had both decided at the last minute to attend the Emergency Medical Services conference in Ocean Shores, Washington. I was there with a friend who had gone through recruit school with Gary. This friend — a firefighter and notorious practical joker — wanted to put Gary on the spot. Knowing Gary was a terrible dancer, he mischievously asked me, as a favor, to invite Gary to dance. I thought, why not?
So there we were, dancing to terrible ’70s music and talking about rhythm. I mentioned that I had recently gained a better sense of rhythm while learning to play the piano. Gary shared that he had always wanted a piano for his autistic son. And as it turned out, I was looking for a new home for mine — I was about to leave to volunteer in Guatemala for a year.
A few months and a handful of emails later, we met again to move the 1920s upright piano to Gary’s house. That morning, we started talking and before we realized it, three hours had passed. He is still the one person I can talk to for hours. The day after we moved the piano, I took a chance and invited him out for a margarita to celebrate Cinco de Mayo — just an excuse to see him again. As Gary likes to say, he’s a good guy but no angel, so he accepted my invitation.
After that night, we were inseparable. A few months later, I decided to put Guatemala on hold. I moved in with Gary, got my piano back, and gained the love of my life — along with some of the most amazing boys I know.
Mi Familla
Gary is the glue to our family. He reminds us to take a breath and enjoy the small treasures in life. He retired from West Pierce Fire and Rescue after 27 years working as a firefighter/paramedic.
Blaine & Summer just purchased their first home in Tacoma, Washington. They live there with their two pups, Sunni and Elton. Blaine works as a mechanical engineer, and Summer runs her farm, Sunrise Organic Blueberry Farm, and is studying to become a pilot.
Stuart loves being in the great outdoors and works as a security guard for Alder Dam in Washington. In his spare time, he is going to school with the ultimate goal of becoming a physician assistant.
Gavin is our inner child who will always be with us. He was born with ring chromosome 22, a rare condition resulting in delayed development and autism.
Alvin is seven years old, full of life and adventure. He is always on the go or creating his own soundtrack to life.
