I met Yaya through the neighborhood gym I go to. She was my instructor for Barre and Pound - and it turns out she was also the owner, but you know the kind of cool owner who is super laid-back. And I believe the first time I met her husband, he was dressed up in a dinosaur costume :) that’s how cool he is.
These two met super young, practically grew up together, going on family vacations, going to the same high school. But the timing was never quite right. Randall liked her, but she wasn't into him. Then, she liked him, but he wasn’t ready to be “tied down.”
It wasn't until years later, after college, that fate brought them back together. It was Randall’s step brother's wedding. He was the best man, and Yaya was the photographer. She is a Jill of all trades - and if you don’t know what that means, like I didn’t, it’s the female version of the expression Jack of all trades. They reconnected that evening, became friends again, and then, like “most people,” they took a trip to Japan to hike Mount Fuji. And when they finally got to the summit, that’s when Randall knew he has to marry his best friend.
Yaya and Randall eloped during a random lunch break - SPONTANEOUS, or what? And then we got to take pictures for their anniversary and it was a blast.