About David and Valerie
Valerie Gonzales, the youngest daughter of John and Maria Gonzales, grew up in the South Bay area of California.
David Bonilla, son to Samuel and Yolanda Bonilla, was born and raised in beautiful Pasadena, California, the city just south of the wedding location.
David and Valerie met online in 2001 and quickly became great friends. Over the years, that friendship grew into much more and the two knew that they were meant for each other. After seven years dating, David finally smartened up and popped the question to Valerie in front of their two families on Christmas Day, 2009.
"When I sit down and think about the reasons I love Valerie, I am reminded of her kind heart, her generosity, and her willingness to care for me. She has so much patience, a necessity to be able to put up with me for over eight years. I didn't know that there was a void in my life until she filled it. I always figured relationships were difficult, but Valerie made me realize that if two people are right for each other, they can be very easy. She is my best friend and she is the only woman I can imagine spending the rest of my life with. We have come a long way since she was my 'Val Pal.' The journey has been so great and I know the years ahead of us will be equally as happy." - David
"My favorite thing about David is his heart. He always cares so much about others, especially his friends and family. When we started our friendship, I quickly saw how lucky I was to know him, and how much I wanted to always have him in my life. I remember thinking during one of our early email communications, 'Wouldn't it be great if we ended up together?' He showed me not only how to be a better friend, but how to give every relationship your all. David is the perfect match for me because he accepts me, quirks and all, unconditionally and with all his soul." - Valerie
Valerie's parents always made David feel like part of the family, even when they were just friends. While he probably appeared quiet and shy at first (I know, can you imagine?), they made it really easy for him to be comfortable around them. Although calling them "John" and "Maria" took some time. One of David's fondest memories with Valerie's parents was the night he asked their permission to marry her. Without giving away all of the details, based on their reactions, he never felt more sure of his decision.
Ready to spend their lives together, David and Valerie purchased a home in Torrance in 2010.
Trivia
During their first time hanging out together, Valerie lost David at Dodger Stadium's Top of the Park Store because she forgot what he looked like.
"Which one was he? I knew it was a guy wearing Dodgers stuff. It didn't help that everyone in there was wearing Dodgers stuff." - Valerie
Valerie's nephew, Dillon Brooks, who is one of the groomsmen, was the first person to see the couple kiss and asked, "Are you two together?"
Valerie didn't really care for football until she started dating David, who made it clear that it was a prerequisite to dating him.
"Go Niners!" - David
After one year of friendship, David sent Valerie a Friendiversary gift basket to her college.
"One of my coworkers told me that people who are 'just friends' don't do that. I liked it." - Valerie
Valerie wrote David a song called "Sandwiches" to the beat of "Bandages" by Hot Hot Heat when she introduced him to the great deli sandwiches found at some of the nicer Ralph's supermarkets. View the lyrics
These sandwiches, feed me more than grapes.
Ham and cheeses from various big states.
I've been hungry for something to feed me again.
I've been hungry for something not Pizza Hut (it is too far into town)
I've been searching around for something made not made of grease and fat and cow...
These sandwiches, look so very good today.
Subway and Quiznos won't do it for me any more
I've been running and running and looking around
Around, around, around, around, around, around, arouuuuund
Sandwiches for me and David and for you.
Sandwiches, sandwiches, sandwicheeees,
Filling up my tummy all big and round for you.
Sandwiches, sandwiches, sandwicheeees
Mustard and mayo and pickles always make the perfect one
Lettuce and tomato can't hurt but can be a lot of fun
I want to go someplace where I can have the choice of bread, of meat, of chips, and do what choosers do.
I've been shaking from bacon hidden in sandwiches in other towns
I've been thinking of drinking diet coke to get it all the way down
I've been hungry and hungry wondering what will calm me down,
Me down, me down, me down, me doooown
Sandwiches coming straight from my Ralph's to you
Sandwiches, sandwiches, sandwiches, sandwicheees.
Sandwiches made just how you like coming to you
Sandwiches, Sandwiches, Sandwiches, sandwicheeees.
Sandwiches, sandwiches, sandwiches.
Don't worry now, don't worry now, don't worry the mayo is under control.
Don't worry now, don't worry now, don't worry the pickle did not fall out.
Don't worry now, don't worry now, don't worry it won't make you too full
Don't worry now, don't worry now, don't worry it is all under control.
Don't worry now, don't worry now, don't worry you don't have to go around
Around, around, around, around, around, arouuuund.
Sandwiches for me and David and for you.
Sandwiches, sandwiches, sandwicheeees,
Filling up my tummy all big and round for you.
Sandwiches, sandwiches, sandwicheeees
Sandwiches coming straight from my Ralph's to you
Sandwiches, sandwiches, sandwiches, sandwicheees.
Sandwiches made just how you like coming to you
Sandwiches, Sandwiches, Sandwiches, sandwicheeees.
Sandwiches, Sandwiches, Sandwiches
Sandwiches, Sandwiches, Sandwiches
Sandwiches I will make them for you.
Valerie and David used to have virtual pillow fights over instant messaging. Every now and then, "*WHACK*" would appear during the conversation indicating that one of them got hit with a virtual pillow.
Valerie did not get her license until she was almost 22 years old. Meaning, David had to drive her around early on in their friendship and when they were first dating.
