The Story Of
April 6, 1989
Sarah was born in Omaha, NE
- Parents Russell & Kim McDonald welcomed Sarah as their youngest of three children. She had older sister, Rebekah, to be her best friend and older brother, Silas, to protect her.
January 29, 1990
Mitch was born in Fountain Valley, CA
- Nine months after Sarah joined the world, Mitch was born to Anice & William Tezak five miles from where he’s lived his entire life. He, too, has an older sister named Rebecca.t
1996
A creative mind was born
- Many hours were spent at this desk as Sarah experimented with colors, glue, and random objects.
2000
First love, motocross
- The first two-wheeled ride of many to come. Mitch was always excited to pull the dirt bike off the trailer the first morning after arriving in the desert.t
February 2007
Mitch broke his back
- At Mammoth Mountain in California, Mitch attempted a jump on his snowboard, but was cut off by a skier. He landed upside down on his back and broke it.
- Who would have thought that many years later this shared back trouble would be a talking point the first time Mitch and Sarah spoke?
August 2007
Sarah left for college in Peoria, IL
- Wanting a new adventure, Sarah left home to attend Bradley University. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Graphic Design and a double minor in Marketing & Multimedia in 2011. It was also in college where she received Christ as her savior and became a Christian.t
October 26, 2011
Sarah arrived in California
- After driving cross country by herself, Sarah arrived in Orange County for a six week design internship. Her first day was on Halloween so she dressed as a paintbrush. She stayed at the company for four years.
May 2014
Mitch graduated from college
- Mitch earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with an accounting emphasis from Cal State Fullerton. While in college Mitch served his local church leading worship for the high school ministry.t
July 2014
Mitch started his job at EY
- A full-time hire right out of the gate as a Staff Associate and soon after became a licensed CPA. Six years later, he’s worked his way up to be an Assurance Manager.
June 13, 2017
Sarah has her first back surgery
- After months of nerve pain, an MRI showed an 8mm herniated disc at L5S1, along with a lot of other permanent damage. No traumatic event as a cause, but rather genetics at play. Seven weeks post-op and she was back at it with a 40 mile backpacking trip.t
July 21, 2019
Grand Canyon hiking trip
- Returning from hiking Rim to Rim, Sarah’s friend Meghan made the first mention of a guy named Mitch who her mom had seen recently at church. Luckily Sarah was awake for that part 😉 *Picture is from the car ride.
July 28, 2019
The first phone call
- After Mitch received Sarah’s phone number from his mom, the two talked at length about everything from Dave Ramsey to their shared back troubles to future plans. A connection between the two was made.t
August 2, 2019
The first meeting
- A few days after their call, Sarah & Mitch met at a Starbucks in Irvine. The hours flew by as they jumped right into their passions and desires for life.
August 7, 2019
Dinner at El Cholo
- After a delicious meal in Corona del Mar, Mitch & Sarah walked to the beach. Mitch asked her to be his girlfriend and later in the evening said “Mark my word, I’ll marry you”t
- t*Their first picture is below
August 16, 2019
First deposit for a wedding
- Two weeks after they met for the first time, Sarah & Mitch put a deposit down for a wedding photographer. They say “when you know, you know”
October 10, 2019
Big Pine Lakes Backpacking Trip
- Sarah took Mitch on his first backpacking trip. While he may have struggled (a lot), the weekend was full of lots of laughs and love.t
October 2019
Mitch bought an engagement ring
- With the help of his close friend, George, Mitch purchased a ring for Sarah. The plans to try and surprise Sarah began.
December 5, 2019
Mitch flew to Omaha, NE
- On the way back from a business trip to Florida, Mitch made a one night stop in Omaha to ask Sarah’s parents for their permission to marry their daughter.t
- The picture below is what he showed Sarah on the night of the proposal.t
December 13, 2019
A proposal in Corona del Mar
- Mitch & Sarah walked around the same beach where they became official. Mitch showed Sarah the picture (above). She had NO idea he had made a trip to see her parents. Then he got down on one knee and proposed!
February 19, 2020
Sarah’s second back surgery
- After struggling with pain in the fall, Sarah learned she had another massive disc herniation, but this time at L4 (one level above the last). Surgery was inevitabe, but this time she had Mitch to care for her.t
June 12, 2020
Our Wedding Day!Sarah & Mitch will be united in marriage on June 12, 2020 in the mountains of Big Bear, California with their immediate family as witnesses. God’s beautiful creation will serve as the sanctuary.
June 12, 2020
Our Wedding Day!
Sarah & Mitch will be united in marriage on June 12, 2020 in the mountains of Big Bear, California with their immediate family as witnesses. God’s beautiful creation will serve as the sanctuary.