Our Story
Our Story
It Was Written In the Stars...
Don and Katie first met during a study abroad program in Siena, Italy during the winter quarter of 2004. Although they both attended UC Irvine, it took this specific time and place for them to finally meet. Don would admire Katie from afar, but eventually worked up the courage to talk to her one day. During a trip to Rome, Don overheard Katie talking to one of his flatmates about her interests in art, travel and music. He recognized commonalities they shared, and this piqued his interest even more. They were traveling wanderers starting to find their place in life and were drawing inspiration from everything around them. He learned she liked to sketch but hadn't done so in awhile. With all their shared interests, Don just knew he had to get to know her better.
He made his first move after class one day when he handed her a sketchbook he had purchased especially for her. She opened the book to reveal his hand drawn rendering of the hands from the Sistine Chapel and an inscription that read, "Always treat your interests as divine". Later that week, Katie went to visit Don to bring him some soup after he got sick on a weekend trip in Milan. She brought him a Venetian glass pen to thank him for the sketchbook, and showed him a drawing she made of the Piazza Del Campo in Siena, Italy. They were not only inspired by their surroundings, but also by what they would learn about each other. Don would later explain that his sketch to Katie was intended to symbolize the act of making a true connection. Sometimes in finding out who you are, you open yourself up to someone finding you. He felt lucky to have had this chance encounter at discovering true love. Katie and Don backpacked through Europe once the program ended and it was during those travels that they both realized their true connection, and could envision spending their futures with each other. Destiny brought them together and the rest became history.
He Proposed
He Proposed
She Said Yes
She Said Yes
During a spontaneous trip to Chicago in 2011, Don popped the question at the top of the John Hancock building while we dined at The Signature Room. He had been hiding the ring in his camera bag and was patiently waiting for the perfect moment to surprise me. While I was aware of an impending proposal, I never anticipated Don could obtain the ring in time for our trip. Unbeknownst to me, an elaborate plan had been in the works involving his brother's friend delivering the ring from SoCal to SF, and Don sneaking away to pick him up from the airport, get the ring, and hide it while I was packing. I was so preoccupied with travel preparations that I didn't even notice Don had left our apartment, let alone that he was collecting such a significant piece of jewelry...
Flash forward to the day of the proposal- Don wakes up early to call my mom, brother and Aunt Suzanne to ask for permission. He doesn't get a hold of my mom, but my brother and aunt enthusiastically give their blessing, and my mom texts hers by the end of the afternoon. Meanwhile, we enjoy a glorious day of sightseeing outside in the frigid November air. Don insists on treating me to a manicure after I notice my nail is chipped. Then we take an architectural boat tour over Lake Michigan where we catch a sunset against Chicago's bold skyline. By the evening, Don casually mentions he has made a last minute reservation at the Signature Room for dinner. Since we'd just experienced an unforgettable dinner at Topolobampo the night before (replete with Rick Bayless sighting no less!), I was not so enthusiastic about dressing up and venturing into the biting cold again. He eventually persuades me, but I don't bother freshening my makeup or changing into a dress. I layer on as many clothes as possible and we make our way over to the iconic skyscraper.
Dinner at the Signature Room is magnificent, and I am relieved we are eating here after all. I feel content to have found my soulmate, and remember how Don has always wanted to bring me here, to the city where he was born. I also recall how he has mentioned he would want to propose to me in Chicago. I feel a slight pang of disappointment that it won't happen here. I casually wonder how he hypothetically would have proposed had he gotten the ring in time. When I ask him, he pauses with an amused look on his face. Then indulges my curiosity by explaining that if he had the ring, he would have proposed right here, and that he would have told me how happy he is to be here with me to show me a piece of his childhood. He tells me that as his life began here, in the symmetry of it all, he would want his life with me to start here as well and that this day would be the day where we would begin spending the rest of our lives together. Before I have a chance to fully process the beautifully romantic proposal I hypothetically missed out on, something suddenly distracts me. At that moment, Don slowly reaches down into his camera bag and pulls out a small, blue velvet box. He starts to tell me, "The thing is, I do have the ring..." And that is literally all I can remember hearing him say. In that moment, my heart skips a beat, and all I can think of is why didn't I prepare for this? I should've dressed up for this occasion! He slips the ring onto my finger and I choke out the word, "Yes!" As I admire the incredibly sparkly ring, I am still in utter shock and disbelief of what just occurred. Then our charming waiter comes by and asks us if we've just gotten engaged, and enthusiastically makes Don reenact the proposal for him while he takes a picture of us. Albeit, the second time around, he makes Don properly get down on one knee and make a spectacle in front of the onlooking diners.
To this day, that is still the best and most memorable surprise Don has been able to pull off for me. At last, I get to celebrate marrying my best friend after over a decade of growing up together and experiencing so many happy moments with each other. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you Don! And Finny (our lovable dog) too!
About Us
About Us
Fun Facts About Katherine Joe (Katie)
Katie is the youngest child of Jeanie and the late Alvin Joe, Jr.. She has one older brother, Steven. She grew up in San Francisco, and has lived there most of her life. Since a young age, she was determined by her family to be strong willed, artistically gifted, and very bright. She enjoyed trying to outwit her older brother Steven to keep him on his toes. She loves to spend her time getting lost in a good book, engineering solutions to common household problems, occasionally joining an indoor cycling cult, challenging herself with learning new skills, and cuddling on the sofa at night with Don and their canine compadre, Finn. She takes after her father in her passion for great food, and Don has observed that the way to her heart is usually through her stomach. Her proudest and most recent accomplishment has been competing in a half marathon with Don over this past summer, having trained for less than 5 weeks (not recommended). Katie has finally found her perfect match in Don; his unwavering belief in her inspires Katie to challenge herself beyond her own expectations. She loves and admires Don most for his kind-hearted, genuine and selfless nature. He is truly the most thoughtful person she has ever met.
Fun Facts About Donald Banayo (Don)
Don is the youngest son of Manolo and Aniceta Banayo. He has two older brothers, Emmanuel and Patrick. Don was born in Chicago, but moved to San Diego at a young age after getting Pneumonia due to his susceptibility to the cold and harshness of Illinois winters. Although difficult for his loving parents, they made sacrifices and took risks for their family and started their new life in California. As a young boy, Don has always been a gifted artist skilled at painting and sketching. He has an affinity for music and would later collect a large number of vintage vinyl records including some of Katie's late father's. Although Don has a severe food allergy to tree nuts and fish, it does not hinder his appreciation for great food that he learned from Katie and the Joe Family. He loves all things with a story, a good glass of scotch or a refreshing IPA, enjoys getting lost in a good film, and gets a kick out of muggle technology and all things tech. Don is a man of many interests, is a constant tinkerer, a geek, a dreamer, and a kindhearted old soul. He is often rendered powerless to the smile of his beloved Katie and her fearsome sidekick Finny the dog. Yet even in certain defeat, Don has an everlasting love for the two who serve as his constant inspiration.
Photos
Photos
Photos Courtesy of Clane Gessel Photography