It was a dark and stormy night… no really, it was actually pretty stormy! For Los Angeles at least… which means it was drizzling slightly. And it may have been early evening instead of “night.”
Okay, so one drizzly early evening during her freshman year at UCLA, Martha was walking home from an afternoon of fun in Westwood with her roommate Rhoda, when they decided to take a shortcut back to the dorms due to the rain. Right as they were passing behind the athletic facilities, they were approached by a man who asked them if they enjoyed sports. Martha and Rhoda looked at each other and then nodded slowly, thinking why is this guy talking to us?? The man smiled and asked them if they’d ever thought about working in sports, which was terribly ironic as Martha had made an attempt to become a softball manager a few weeks before, but was told the positions were filled for the year. Martha enthusiastically responded that yes, she was very interested in working in sports! Rhoda shrugged and went along with the idea.
The man introduced himself as Mike McBride, Head Equipment Manager for UCLA Athletics, and he offered them a tour of the football equipment room, into which they followed him (don’t worry, they could see other students working through the doorway, so they weren’t two freshmen girls unquestioningly following a strange man in his thirties into a dark, empty room in a random building…). Inside the small, dark room, the student managers were working mechanically to prepare the football team for the upcoming game at Washington State. Mike showed Martha and Rhoda all the ins and outs of the equipment room and after the thrilling tour (no really, Martha was enthralled!), he offered the girls a job working as a student manager for the UCLA football team.
Martha graciously accepted (translation: she said yes and then walked out of the office squealing and grinning like an idiot) and returned the following Monday to start her new job as a football student manager. That rainy day changed her life for many reasons, but it was really during the first moments of her first day at work that shaped her future forever…. when she was introduced to the other managers. Tony Perri, the assistant equipment manager in charge of football at the time, took her over to the towel folding station and pointed to a smiling, rosy-cheeked, possibly latino young man and said “… and this is Ghobi.”
It took a full year of being student-managers together before Ghobi finally worked up the courage to ask Martha to be his girlfriend (first and last, thank you very much!). Walking her to her dorm one night, he asked her, “If you’d like to be my girlfriend, hold my hand.” They walked about five steps further and she switched the water bottle she was holding to her other hand and clasped his hand, sealing their fate. Almost a decade later –and years of football games and practices, mid-terms, papers, and finals, medical school in Chicago, hours and hours of long distance phone calls, and plane trips back and forth– Andrew proposed. Martha said yes.
To this day, Mike McBride claims he isn’t sure what made him approach the girls that day, but thank goodness he did.
You two are so great together and I am so excited to see you guys married. I love how you put together this sight. It is very informative love you both very much.
Sweet story. Gotta love that hand of fate
Grammas Darlings, what a cute, well put together love story. Martha loves books, I think she should write one and get money for it instead of reading them. Martha is our first grandchild and has been an absolute pleasure all through life. Poor Ghobie, you can’t help but fall in love with her and Ghobie fits right into that category himself. Ten years is the longest
relationship I have ever heard of and finally asked the kids which one of you doesn’t want to get married. They both just laughed. Grama wishes them a long blessed, healthful, beautiful marriage. Love you both,Grama T.
More pictures please! I want to see what you come up with for the Cast of Characters! I sure wish I could put a picture of Martha in her wedding gown on here…let’s just say the crown will make the picture complete.
Very sweet comments from ALL sweet people to some VERY sweet kids! This was a long time coming. I couldn’t be happier!! and couldn’t be happier to be a part of all extensions of this Family! I love them all!! These are two lucky kids and we are very lucky as well. I can’t wait for the future!! (Grandkids) lol!
What a great story. You should make that into a movie….
Martha,
If we stay at the DoubleTree can we park there after the wedding and catch a shuttle to the reception?
Thanks, K.C.
Hi K.C.!
Absolutely! We will be running a trolley shuttle between the DoubleTree and Union Station, and you will be able to take the shuttle back to the hotel from the reception as well, so it’s a great option!
xoxo
Martha
There is a special bond between a Grandfather and his grandchildren that makes things that happen in their lives very important to him. Martha has gone through most of the major changes that happen to a person, and has two to go. One will happen this month, and I am looking forward to that with a lot of happiness and a little sadness. I will now not be the number one man in Martha’s life, although my advice won’t stop, but I know that Andrew will do a good job in taking my place. Grandma and I are very proud of both of you, and will continue to be a part of your lives and support you in every way. We wish you all the happiness that a wonderful marriage can bring, and continued success in your life together. As Grandma hinted above, she was about ready to give you both an ultimatum, marry or else. I am glad that you did not wait for that.
Love, Grandpa T.
I was unaware Grandpa was #1 in Martha’s life but out of respect I will give him that. But if Grandpa is giving up the 1 seat Gohbi can have the # 2 I’m not moving down! RIGHT M.J. Love Uncle Congratulations and Martha if you haven’t told Gohbi yet that you are not working anymore after tomorrow hurry-up and tell him we can use you feeding!