Four years ago we were brainstorming ideas of what we wanted the run club to be, the main goal that we all had in mind was to create a social gathering environment where friendships would arise and last. So when we listen to George and Miyuki’s story, our hearts are filled with joy. With Valentines day around the corner I wanted to introduce George & Miyuki and their sweet story…
When did you meet Miyuki?
GEROGE: I met Miyuki during the summer of 2016 at Lanikai Juice in Waikiki. After the group run, we were doing the stretching cool down and we randomly got paired up to support one another. We had to put our hand on each other’s shoulder, stand on one foot and then swing the other leg front to back. Miyuki smiled and said to me bashfully, “I’m all sweaty.” I smiled back and replied, “It’s okay, I don’t care.” I’m quite shy so I didn’t converse any further and so it wasn’t until a few other runs before we actually started speaking and got more acquainted with one another.
What was your first impression when you met George?
MIYUKI: Wild perhaps…because he had a beard at that time. I requested him to shave it! And obviously I thought he was shy. Also, I didn’t know back then that he was a fast runner. I thought maybe he could run fast, but only for short distances and especially at the ending part…who knew! lol
Who likes to run more, you or Miyuki?
G: I think that’s a toss up. It depends on which one of us is feeling more healthier. As with most runners, I think we deal with quite a bit of aches and pains, so whichever one of us hurts the least probably is more motivated to put more miles in to running.
And at times, we also enjoy doing fun runs as well, such as running around neighborhoods in town and picking up any mangoes we come across on the ground
How is it to have a partner to run with?
M: By knowing he is a fast runner now, I feel bad sometimes since he has to slow down his pace for me. However, I’m definitely grateful we share the same interest. Also running with him becomes a huge motivation for me especially before and during a race. And at times, we also enjoy doing fun runs as well, such as running around neighborhoods in town and picking up any mangoes we come across on the ground…and George makes mango bread or mango smoothies when we get home. I like those times being a jogger too and not always being a serious runner.
What do you love about the run club?
G: When I first discovered the run club back in the Waikiki days, what I appreciated about it was that I had somewhere to go and do something active and enjoy the paradise around us. For me it was a gathering place which unconditionally promoted a healthy lifestyle with like-minded people. As the run club evolved and moved to Kaka’ako my running improved greatly, and so did my appreciation for the coaching, support, and motivation to help me reach my goal of being the best I can be. And consequently brought me to a point of my life where I was ready and willing for life’s surprises. What I love about the run club is that because of it, I was able to find someone whom I love, doing something we love…together.
Where is you dream place to run with George?
M: I’d like to visit Europe someday but don’t really know where…maybe Greece because the marathon originally was run there, or Scotland because we liked watching the show Outlander.
The idea was we’d meet each other’s parents and experience each other’s hometown. I had been contemplating proposing to Miyuki and trying to be patient, waiting when the time felt “right.”
I heard that you proposed to her…How did you propose?
G: Our birthdays are a week apart and we had planned to take a two week vacation together to celebrate. The first week would be in California for my birthday and the second week would be in Japan for Miyuki’s. The idea was we’d meet each other’s parents and experience each other’s hometown. I had been contemplating proposing to Miyuki and trying to be patient, waiting when the time felt “right.” Close to leaving for our trip, I thought perhaps Japan would be a perfect opportunity for me to make my move since I could ask for Miyuki’s parent’s blessing prior to asking for her hand in marriage. I still had cold feet, but I didn’t want to miss my “golden opportunity” and so days before leaving, I picked up The ring for my deed.
We had a full itinerary making multi city trips and I pretty much carried the ring in a backpack with me throughout, except for the times we stayed at one another’s parent’s homes where I felt it was safe. So I was somewhat uneasy at times concerned about the security of this precious thing I was carrying around with me. But I tried to not think about it too much and enjoy our trip. By the time we arrived in Japan, we had gone “camping,” run across bridges, rode on several boats, ran the Monterey Bay Half Marathon, flew to Los Angeles en route to Tokyo and lost 2 phones along the way, stayed in a hostel, rode multiple trains before finally making it to Miyuki’s parent’s home in Fukuoka!
I pushed myself to take a leap and I awkwardly asked her parents in Japanese for their blessing. Miyuki’s dad said that if that’s my wish and as long as I tried to make Miyuki happy every day then they approved and gave me their blessing.
Miyuki’s birthday was the next day so I thought that was when I had to do it…still biding my time, I asked Miyuki’s son Julian for his blessing and to help me translate my wish in Japanese, so I could ask her parents the big question. As things played out for my benefit, after dinner, Miyuki took a nap so I had a chance to memorize my little script while Godzilla played on the television. About an hour had passed while Godzilla continued to wreak havoc on Tokyo, and Miyuki was supposed to soon awaken. I pushed myself to take a leap and I awkwardly asked her parents in Japanese for their blessing. Miyuki’s dad said that if that’s my wish and as long as I tried to make Miyuki happy every day then they approved and gave me their blessing. As she came into the room half awake and half asleep, I took advantage of her dazed state to ask my question so she couldn’t refuse me with a clear head. She was naturally confused when I asked her, but the question settled in pretty quickly. The moment she said yes and I put the ring on her finger, that’s when we had booked the next leg of our journey together…
she is a blessing in my life and don’t take that for granted at all.
What do you think is the secret to “live happily ever after”?
G: We’ve only been together over a year before I proposed. Nothing has been easy and there’s still struggles at times. We each have our past and experiences…and I had been single for quite some time so I’m used to a certain way of living. I don’t know if I’ve figured out the secret to living “happily ever after” being that I’m pretty clueless in this matter, but what I have learned is to live in the present, try to learn from the past while looking forward into the future, and appreciate my blessings. And Miyuki is that to me – she is a blessing in my life and don’t take that for granted at all. Before I was pretty much existing and sort of cruising without any direction…but now I’m living my life fully and motivated, more inspired to head towards a goal to grow together in friendship and in love. To reach that goal I feel there has to be a lot of open communication, full honesty, patience for days, unwavering dedication and commitment, heated passion, joyful laughter…and perhaps a little time to run together.
M: I agree with George, he said everything I feel. I just think we are still searching though, so it’s really a hard question to answer at this time. We are searching for the way to be happy forever after being together for such a short time. And basically we’re still going through the challenges and struggles so hopefully…someday will eventually become forever.
thank you George and Miyuki for sharing your story. We wish you a life full of wonderful moments!
some dreams are worth sharing
mariane
everyone is welcome to run with us, click here to learn more about the run club
