Our Story

Arijana left the former Yugoslavia when news traveled across the Atlantic that a boy named Michael was born in Fresno, California in 1988. As you can imagine, it was a difficult journey to embark upon for a then determined 3 year old Arijana. But the tales of his glorious locks and beautiful mind covered the land in celebration and Arijana firmly — but politely — said to her mother, “We are moving to America.”

As Michael spent his early developmental years growing an interest in technology and the stock market, Arijana dilligently sharpened her wit in three languages which she planned to deploy upon meeting Mikey. He would become an exceptionally good athlete in semi-pro paintball. She would become an exceptionally good athlete in folk dancing. He, a scrawny guy who loved mac ‘n cheese. She, a chunky gal who loved poetry ‘n choir.

Love takes us to for away places. Many nights Arijana called out for Michael. She asked the universe for a boy with long brown hair and a bright infectious smile. Someone who was not bound by any rules, other than to be the funky brilliance he was destined to be. A challenger of convention, a man with conviction. And the universe replied, “He’s in California.”

With her bags in tow, Arijana left Idaho and landed in San Francisco and the universe spoke again, “I’m sorry, I wasn’t very clear. He’s in Santa Ana, California.”

By the time she found him, lifes’ adventures had distracted her, and she would spend the following year confusing him by disappearing in her little cave, on Buffalo street. Love makes us reach deeper inside for the other. “I like you. And I want you to like me, too,” Michael said, picking apart Basil leafs in preparation to deploy his charm, cooking pasta for Arijana, “the best way to think of Basil, is like a flower.”