Rehanna Hanif and Christian Steller

#123

Tell us about the beginning of your relationship: How you met, when you met and the details of the proposal.

We met about 13 years ago through friends. We dated a while, but drifted apart when our lives went in different directions. I’ve never forgotten Christian. In December 2008 I found him again on MySpace (after almost 5 years of searching), we began a long distance phone relationship (I lived in Oregon at the time).

We planned to meet in March 2009, to see if the chemistry was still there . . . and it was! We’ve been completely inseparable since!

A few months later, we took a trip to the Stratosphere in Vegas (where we had our 1st trip together 13 yrs ago). While having dinner by the window, at the same Top of the World restaurant, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! After I stopped crying, I accepted and everyone began clapping.

What do you think is the key to a happy and lasting marriage and why?

A happy and lasting marriage doesn’t happen overnight. There’s work and compromise that needs to be made in order for it to flourish and grow. We both believe that honesty, trust, and open communication are key in this process. Without honesty you cannot have trust, without trust you cannot have open communication. Christian and I practice all of these qualities each and every day. It is who we are as people. Chemistry is a base on which to build. Once you add these ingredients it gives your love a chance to bloom.

Where do you see your relationship in ten years?

In 10 years we see ourselves happy and content. Christian and I have talked about opening a little restaurant or deli. Maybe here in Fremont but definitely somewhere in the bay area. He is an amazing cook! I can also cook but I bake much better. We will also be attending the Twins graduations and helping them go off to college (as they will be 18 years old). Possibly buying them their first cars. Who knows . . . maybe we will have other children that we will be attending to as well. We’ve been together now for about a yr. In that time we’ve discussed many possibilities of what will be. What we do know is . . . we will be together, supporting and loving one another.

What do you feel is the best quality about your partner and give an example?

Rehanna: Christian is the strongest person I have ever known. For most people, to be diagnosed with Lupus at age 17, it would’ve been the beginning of the end. Having to go to dialysis 3X a week, continual surgeries and long hospital stays are exhausting. His strength helps him live each day to its fullest and be the best fiancé, father, and son that he can be despite the hardships he has endured. His strength to carry on makes my love for him grow every day.

Christian: Rehanna is a very giving person. She gives of her self whole-heartedly. She visits with me at dialysis and makes sure I get home safely. During surgeries/hospital stays she is there by my side. She’s taken months off of work to help me with my recuperation afterwards. She gives me love and makes me strong.

Tell us about both of your occupations, and why you each entered this line of work.

Christian is a Senior Business Analyst. He has always loved numbers, finance, and high tech. After 8 years in the semiconductor field, he decided to switch to a diabetes management company. People who have diabetes are usually faced with the possibility of being on dialysis sometime during their lives. Since he is also on dialysis, here he feels is where he can help people the most.

I’m a certified massage therapist. Massage has been part of my life since I was a child. I used to massage my dad’s feet and legs to relieve his arthritis pain. I realized throughout the years that I had an ability to help people relax and heal. In October of 2007 I began school for massage and now I love going to work everyday to help my clients live a healthier life.

What is the value and importance of community service and tell us what it means to you.

Community service is very important in that it keeps you in touch with the world around you. It makes you more well rounded as a person and helps you to contribute to society. We have met some really interesting people through community service. It helps us to see outside ourselves. To help others gain strength through our experiences. One mustn’t forget that when giving one receives as well. There have been many times where we have gone to a community event, such as donating toys, and then leaving there overwhelmed with the joy that you have helped to make a child smile!

What obstacles, loss, or hardship have you been faced with and how did you deal with it?
In addition to losing both my parents, Christian has suffered with kidney issues for 20 yrs. He was diagnosed with Lupus at age 17 & is now in the last stages of renal failure. He has dialysis 3x a week for 4 hours a day. He deals with his illness very bravely and continues to make new strides everyday. He is now in the process of testing for a kidney transplant from his sister. She has selflessly offered to donate. We are grateful.

As for me, my parents, normally, would’ve been there to pay for our wedding but, sadly, they have both been taken from me. I have worked trough the loss and try to incorporate the memories of them in our lives each chance I get.

Why do you deserve to win the 2010 San Francisco Dream Wedding Giveaway?

We don’t feel as though we “deserve” to win but we would consider it a privilege. In these tough financial times, it was a blessing to become aware of the contest. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect! Christian and I have only been reunited now for roughly a year. We haven’t had a lot of time to save for a nice wedding. Most of our finances are used for medical bills and the day to day cost of living. We would be deeply grateful to win. It would provide us a chance to show our family and friends that “true love” does exist and that you can find it after 13 years.

Video Submission:We asked each of our contestants to submit a video showing something from their every day lives. There were no rules for how they wanted to create it, so long as it was around 3 minutes in length.

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