a year of love, adventures, and heartwarming  connections

dear family and friends,

we did it!! we are merry and married!!

as we reflect on our first year as a married couple, our hearts are filled with gratitude for the incredible journey we’ve shared and the meaningful moments that have woven a rich tapestry of experiences, challenges, and celebrations. this year solidified the foundation of our home and deepened our love for each other.

building a home together has been a sweet and joyous journey, filled with laughter, compromise, and delightful challenges that come with creating a life side by side. from choosing furniture to navigating the intricacies of day-to-day living, each moment strengthens the bond we share and deepens our understanding of what it means to build a home together. amidst these moments, we were honored to partake in the joyous celebrations of love at the weddings of our dear friends: sarah & tomek in january, carol & fadi in may, and kristina & preston in october.

career-wise, trenton embarked on a new journey as the seo director at graybox while also growing his seo and advertising agency, elevating his expertise to greater heights. i had the privilege of producing duocon 2023 for duolingo, a project that not only brought professional satisfaction but also afforded me the opportunity to collaborate with the inspiring malala yousafzai. working alongside malala was undeniably a highlight, infusing an extra layer of purpose and significance into our duocon endeavors.

additionally, i had the honor of reviving the northwest tea festival in seattle after years of covid-induced hiatus. this marked a decade of my involvement with the festival, and it was heartening to see the community come together again.

we celebrated birthdays with flair, from a warm and intimate gathering at my parents’ house for my birthday, complete with mama’s delicious pretzel salad, to a surprise-filled evening at the butcher’s table for trenton’s birthday. our friends, showcasing their acting prowess, nearly executed a flawless surprise if not for a comically clueless server who spilled the tea.

since we’re on the topic of birthday vibes, we had a blast celebrating some special niblings’ milestones. carson turned two in august, galilee hit his beary first birthday in october, bringing extra cheer and adorable chaos to our lives. axios also joined the two-year-old club in december, adding more giggles and toddler shenanigans on our joyful uncle & auntii journey.

our newlywed travels took us to the captivating landscapes of egypt, where we embarked on a journey through time and heritage. trenton met my extended family (all of the aunties love him), and together, we explored the wonders of ancient egyptian sites, as well as the serenity of coptic monasteries and churches. easter in assiut was a particularly special experience as we celebrated with bishop youannes and found ourselves in the deacon’s section, immersed in a sea of 5,000 people, sharing in the joy and traditions of the community. the rich history and warm hospitality left an indelible mark on our hearts, creating memories etched in the sands of time.

during our time in egypt, brittnee gave birth to cash, and we were over the moon with excitement to meet the little one when we got back.

our adventures continued with a babymoon trip to lake chelan in may with my cousins andrew & karina before baby anthony was born, introducing me to the beauty of the chelan for the first time. one morning we met a charming older couple (ron & marianne) at a coffee shop, and they kindly invited us to join them at church the next day. after we attended church we enjoyed another delightful coffee date with their daughter and friends, filled with laughter and good conversation.

our dear friend phi completed her ph.d. in june and we marked the occasion with an epic nacho average grad phiesta hosted by her sweet hubby andrew. the festivities were both yummy and delightful, reflecting the joy of academic success.

also in june, we had a delightful mini day trip to vancouver b.c. with the ghattas fam bam. our primary mission? devour some sushi together in another country and soak up the good vibes of the day. even though it was a short getaway, those memories are pure gold.

and speaking of golden moments, my trip to london to meet and work with malala yousafzai included a heartwarming reunion with my dear friend vernon. additionally, i had a special moment to share breakfast and tea with my sweet aunt yvonne who i hadn’t seen for ten years! we chatted about so many lovely things, and she shared her dream and desire to go to japan. fingers crossed, we’re hoping to make that dream a reality together in the near future!

in july, mama played tourist with us in new york (her first time!), indulging in all the necessary noms, from classic dirty water hot dogs to mouthwatering reuben sandwiches at katz deli and slices of joe’s pizza—mom’s declared favorite.

august took me to pittsburgh for two weeks to film all our internal speakers for duocon 2023. it was another highlight of my work this year, filled with heartwarming moments and the chance to enjoy old and new friendships. from the get-go, the camaraderie with ryan, matt, hillary, shawn, dan, and katy was immediate. meeting ioanna was a delightful addition, and together, they have all become not just colleagues but cherished friends, infusing our work with warmth and camaraderie.

mid-trip trenton joined my pittsburgh adventure and almost instantly we experienced one of the most wild summer storms ever. we played tourist, enjoyed the andy warhol museum and indulged in thai fried chicken at my favorite thai spot in pit, though the duquesne line left a less-than-favorable impression that we won’t be repeating.

the heartwarming vibes seamlessly transitioned into my surreal 20-year all saints school reunion, evoking a sense of nostalgia. it was so nice to have the chance to reconnect with friends from the 8th grade after so many years.

our summer was further adorned with the joy of seafair and the blue angels, shared with new friends ashley & david on a boat. the experience was pretty ridiculous, a little bougie and incredibly fun, creating memories that we’ll cherish.

in october, duocon 2023 launched to our fans, marking our most triumphant event to date! and in the midst of all that excitement, our family got a new member—my sister’s cutie, anaphora. she’s been a total joy and a sweet addition to our lives.

in november, we took my parents to visit uncle dan & aunt colleen in leavenworth, accompanied by my cousins andrew, karina, and the adorable baby anthony. it was a heartwarming family gathering that added warmth to the autumn season.

special shoutout to our sweet neighbors, kai & payton, and lee who have welcomed us with open arms and the biggest of hugs! we’re so lucky to have them in our lives, especially since kai’s infamous pies are a year-round treat that we can’t get enough of.

as we look forward to the adventures that lie ahead, we want to express our deepest gratitude for the love and support we’ve received from all of you. wishing you joy, warmth, and countless shared moments,

ilaria & trenton