Sink Family Travel Contribution

Trying to keep this hush-hush from my parents, but they are my world, so I feel compelled to start a Go Fund Me for them and see where it goes. To give you a little background, Breit and I met in my home island of Okinawa over four years ago. We’ve gone through many overseas deployments together- the last two being in Afghanistan. We’ve experienced the loss of loved ones, relocation across the ocean, and so much more. We’ve grown stronger together, and on March 26th, 2020, Breit proposed to me and my world was complete. Because of the global pandemic and not realizing how long it would actually last, I had to mentally prepare for my family to be absent on the most important day of my life. Throughout the weeks, it looked like there was no end in sight, so we just decided to pull the trigger and elope with just a few close friends and family, including my brother, Mikey, and Breit’s mother who were thankfully able to make it out for our last minute celebration. It was a beautiful day and I’m absolutely grateful that I had one of my kin able to be there by my side— but the thought of my Mom & Dad, Marie, Grace, and Gabe being stuck overseas left a little hole in me. It’s been two years since I’ve last seen them.


Breit's parents decided to go above and beyond to plan and host a belated wedding reception in his hometown of Charlotte, NC at the dawn of the New Year! But as with so many families, my parents were hit with sudden, unexpected  financial emergencies, and for them the thought of flying out to the East Coast of the United States quickly became out of the question. They told me they could afford one family member to fly out, but the idea of not having my whole family there hurts too much. They all deserve to be part of this celebration. I’m not one to reach out for financial help— but given the circumstances and the love I have for my family, I feel compelled to at least try. My parents are proud, compassionate, and hardworking— those who know them personally will not need a description of the kind of people they are. They continue to teach me through example by the way they’ve made it their life’s work to help others. Throughout my childhood and until this day, I can’t count the number of times they opened up our home to those in need. Even people they barely know are welcome and shown the greatest hospitality and warmth. My parents are my heroes, and my brothers and sisters are my best friends with whom I share the deepest corners of my heart. Being an ocean away for the past two years has been a strain to say the least, and the only wedding gift I could ever ask for would to be able to see my family and to dance with my dad at the celebration of the best day of my life.

With the financial impact of the pandemic,  bringing my family to the US for my wedding reception is proving to be financially insurmountable... unless you, our dear friends, family, and even kind strangers who may read this, find it in yourselves to help. The reception is on January 1st, 2021 (freakin' goodbye, 2020!) and we are hoping to make travel arrangements before then. Any donations will go exclusively to flights and lodging for my immediate family flying in from Okinawa. Breit and I originally asked for wedding guests to contribute to a honeymoon fund instead of giving physical gifts, and if you are one of the wonderful people who have already contributed, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. However, if you haven’t yet but were planning on it, please consider donating to this cause instead. With everything going on it the world today, it's easy to put the joyful things in life on the back burner. But love, joy, and togetherness are needed more now than ever. From the newly minted Mr. and Mrs. Paules, you will never know how truly grateful we are for even the smallest contribution. We wish you all a safe and healthy remainder of the year, and a bright, new beginning to the next! 

With Love & Gratitude,
Breitegan & Anna Paules