No one could have predicted Mark and Darling meeting each other. Mark grew up in Southern California and Darling grew up in Brazil and Holland.

As you could imagine, Mark and Darlings story is a unique one. But it is also a simple story of humble beginnings with a desire to become so much more.

Mark and Darling met in 2018 at Paul Martins American Grill. An industry where Mark had spent 15 years and was looking to transition out of, and a job Darling had just happened to get into while looking to supplement her income. Both of them were pursuing other careers with a long road still ahead.

Mark was a bartender and Darling was a Hostess. The bar and the host desk weren’t far away from each other so it was easy to exchange glances and ultimately smiles early on. That distance was closed even more so when the manager had Darling come behind the bar to learn how to make drinks with Mark.

That Christmas of 2018, Darling suddenly left Paul Martins. Weeks went by and Mark realized how much Darling meant to him and the missed opportunity of asking her out.

That was until mid January when Darling suddenly reappeared at the restaurant. It was a busy Friday night and Mark left a busy bar top to ask her where she’d been. It turns out Darling goes to Holland every Christmas to visit her mom.

Mark asked Darling out and the rest is history. 7 years later, through Marks Fire Academies and Paramedic School, and Darlings Graduate School and advancements in the Social Work field, Mark and Darling built a life together of trust, support, love and adventure.

Mark and Darling bonded over their differences and shared desire to learn from one another. From snowboarding and skiing, to music and shows, to being open-minded about culture and ideas, they were able to form a bond that continues to bless them each and every day. No one could have predicted Mark and Darling meeting each other, they grew up in different parts of the world, but now it’s hard to imagine them apart.

Thank you, family and friends, for being on this journey.