Aimee & Eric dancing at the Lincoln Center in NYC

It started with a game of tennis.  Well, actually, it started with Eric asking Aimee to play tennis online a few times before it actually happened.  The first time, Aimee beat Eric.  Even though Aimee’s grandma told her to always let a gentleman win, Aimee’s competitive side took over.  It turns out Eric had a competitive side too. He thought, if he could beat Aimee, then he could ask her out on a proper date.   One month later, Eric planned a surprise first date that was romantic, extravagant, and memorable.  It was definitely worth the wait.

Eric and Aimee had been dating for about two years before getting engaged.  They spent those years  getting to know each other, growing together and building a loving relationship.  Eric knew fairly quickly Aimee was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.   So, Eric began shopping for the special ring.   He was accompanied by his buddy, Craig.  The two of them forged their way to many jewelry stores until Eric found the perfect ring for Aimee.  About a week before Christmas, Eric drove up to the Valley after work to go ask Aimee’s father for his blessing to take his daughter’s hand in marriage.  Eric was calm and thought it would be a piece of cake until he pulled into Aimee’s fathers drive-way.  Suddenly a rush of anxiety rushed over him only to find Joe, Aimee’s father wasn’t home.  After waiting 3 long hours, Joe finally returned.  All went as planned and Joe happily approved and gave his blessing.

On Christmas Eve, Eric surprised Aimee under the 100-foot Christmas tree on Fashion Island in Newport Beach.  Bending to one knee Eric asked Aimee if she would spend the rest of her life with him.  Aimee went on to bear hug Eric followed by a series of “Yes” – “Yes”  – “You’re Crazy” “Yes.”

As it turns out, Eric and Aimee had a lot more in common than tennis…and Eric can, in fact, beat Aimee in tennis (but not in table tennis).  In their spare time, you’ll find them on the ski slopes, at the movies, and enjoying a competitive game of Pictionary with family.

20 things you may not know about the happy couple:

♥ Aimee & Eric play games for stakes.  In one memorable table tennis match, Aimee won the right to name their first born.

♥ Eric is a hard-working web development manager – he created this website! (& Aimee designed it)

♥ Aimee loves to cook dinner and bake desserts for Eric.

♥ Eric played Varsity Football and Varsity Tennis in High School.

♥ Aimee plays first base on her softball team and is currently batting over .700 – she is one of the top 10 batters in the co-ed league…and the only girl batting top 10.

♥ Eric loves backpacking – on one trip he carried his pack as well as his twin sister’s pack up the mountain.

♥ Aimee works at the Orange County Register, “Delivering more than just newspapers.”

♥ Eric plays the piano. His favorite piece is Clair De Lune.

♥ Aimee is a huge Dodger fan – hasn’t missed one game this year – it’s either on her Blackberry, on the radio, on the Internet, or on TV.

♥ Eric beat Aimee at tennis in Central Park in NYC on clay courts.

♥ Aimee graduated with Honors from Cal State Northridge MBA program.

♥ Eric’s nick name in high school, youth group and into college was “Party Larson.”  His nick name from Kyle, Eric’s older brother is “Kaw.” An affectionate name from Richard is “Bulldog.”

♥ Aimee was a background friend on one summer season of the Power Rangers in 1995.

♥ Eric and Aimee have supported Team Freeze in the Relay for Life in Irvine / American Cancer Society for the past 3 years. The 2009 event is June 6/7…come join us!

♥ Aimee was in the Gamma Phi Beta sorority at U.C. Irvine…and in Model U.N.

♥ Eric and Aimee’s first movie together was “The Ultimate Gift,” the first date was at the Hobbit,  and first kiss was a few dates later in a Target parking lot – very romantic.

♥ Aimee has 2 cats – Sunny & Gray Kitty. Eric has a preference for one of them.

♥ Eric is a fine craftsman…he installed the crown moulding in Aimee’s Condo…and scraped the ceilings.

♥ Aimee has been in the bridal parties of 7 weddings; she’s officiated 2 of them.

♥ Eric raced dirt bikes growing up and spent many fond weekends with Kyle and Eric’s dad exploring the California desert.