Married Sep 9, 2006 • San Francisco
Welcome to Our Story
The official archive of Julie and Tom! From our first chance meeting in February 1999 at UC Berkeley, through collegiate courtship, road trips, and video games, to our wedding in SF, honeymoon in Italy, and 20 years of adventures together.
1999
29 memories
February 19
milestone
Julie and Tom meet at CSA Chinese New Year Banquet
Photos
#Memories
March 30
fun
Became online ICQ buddies
Photos
#Memories
June 26
fun
Tom's 1977 Corvette breaks down (part 1)
Photos
#Corvette
August 27
wedding
Tom and Julie flirt online and Tom 'fake' proposes
Photos
#Memories
August 29
career
Julie gives Tom mixed signals at Berkeley Marina
Photos
#UC Berkeley
August 31
milestone
Tom writes his first poem for Julie, titled, appropriately, 'A Poem for Julie'
Photos
#Firsts
#Poetry
September 1
milestone
THE DAY EVERYTHING CHANGED. Tom calls Julie. Julie makes Tom admit he likes her. Julie admits she likes Tom. The journey begins.
Photos
#Firsts
#UC Berkeley
September 4
dating
Julie's first love letter to Tom
#Firsts
September 5
dating
First kiss
Photos
#Firsts
September 7
milestone
First time Julie and Tom go Chinese grocery shopping together at Ranch 99
#Firsts
September 9
dating
First official date at some random Chinese restaurant on Clement Street in San Francisco
#Firsts
#Dining
September 11
milestone
After getting not-so-much sleep the night before, Tom and Julie head to the CSA Picnic at San Pablo Dam. First time spending time together at a major CSA event as a couple.
Photos
#Memories
#UC Berkeley
#Firsts
September 15
dating
Tom gives Julie flowers for the first time
Photos
#Firsts
September 26
family
Tom meets Julie's family at the Chang Dai-chien exhibit at SFSU.
Photos
#Memories
October 1
dating
First 'month-a-versary' celebrated by watching 'Drive Me Crazy' and 'parking' at Lawrence Hall of Science.
Photos
#Firsts
#Anniversary
October 10
fun
Tom's 1977 Corvette breaks down (part 2)
Photos
#Corvette
October 13
milestone
Second poem, 'Heal Me' written by Tom for Julie
#Memories
October 31
milestone
Tom tells Julie he loves her
Photos
#Memories
November 1
dating
Second 'month-a-versary' celebrated by buying a cake at Safeway
Photos
#Anniversary
November 19
fun
CSA Karaoke Contest where Tom and co. perform smashing rendition of Backstreet Boys' 'I Want It That Way'
Photos
#Memories
December 1
dating
Third 'month-a-versary' celebrated by watching Toy Story 2
Photos
#Anniversary
December 3
career
Tom becomes black belt candidate, cheered on by Julie
Photos
#Karate
December 11
milestone
Julie teaches Tom to ice-skate at Yerba Buena Gardens Ice Rink.
Photos
#Memories
December 15
fun
Tom's 1977 Corvette breaks down (part 3)
Photos
#Corvette
December 19
travel
Julie and Tom meet in Disneyland. Julie meets Tom's family for first time at Brittany's Nutcracker performance in Orange County.
Photos
#Firsts
#Disneyland
December 20
milestone
Tom brings Julie to Claim Jumper for first time, and on a 'tour' of Orange County, including South Coast Plaza
#Firsts
December 24
milestone
First Christmas
Photos
#Firsts
2000
11 memories
January 16-17
travel
First mini-holiday to Napa
#Firsts
#Travel
February 3
dating
Fifth 'month-a-versary' celebrated at Long Life Noodles
#Anniversary
April 1
dating
Seventh 'month-a-versary' celebrated by building a bunny at 'Build-A-Bear' Workshop
#Anniversary
April 13
fun
Tom buys Julie a hamster for her birthday. It was named Melvin, but renamed Mellie when it was determined that it was female.
#Memories
May 21
career
Tom graduates from UC Berkeley
Photos
#UC Berkeley
September 4
travel
Mini-holiday to Monterey
#Travel
December – January
travel
Tom joins Julie's family trip in Taiwan
#Travel
2001
11 memories
May 13
career
Julie graduates from UC Berkeley
Photos
#UC Berkeley
June 9
fun
First miniature golf game together
#Firsts
November 1
dating
Twenty-fifth 'month-a-versary' celebrated by watching 'Stomp'
#Anniversary
2002
6 memories
February 1
dating
Twenty-ninth 'month-a-versary' at Santa Fe Bistro
#Anniversary
February 14
dating
Third Valentine's Day celebrated at Sergio's Trattoria
#Memories
March 9-10
travel
First snowboarding trip together
#Firsts
#Travel
August 17-25
travel
Trip to New York
#Travel
2003
10 memories
July 6
dating
'Month-a-versary' at Millan Ristorante
#Anniversary
August 1
dating
'Month-a-versary' at Filippo's Pastaria
#Anniversary
August 31 – September 7
milestone
Tom visits Julie in London
#Memories
September 3
dating
Fourth anniversary celebrated at Marco Pierre White at The Criterion London
#Anniversary
September 8
milestone
Julie and Tom go to Paris
#Memories
December 11-15
milestone
Tom visits Julie in London for the second time
#Memories
December 12-13
milestone
Julie and Tom visit Prague
#Memories
2004
8 memories
March 21-27
travel
Julie and Tom visit Wendy and Shin in Japan
#Memories
April 17
wedding
Trip to Orange County for Sunny and Lien's wedding
#Travel
April 24
milestone
Tom hosts Julie's birthday celebration at Bambuddha Lounge and Shanghai 1930
#Memories
November 6-7
travel
Second mini-holiday to Napa
#Travel
2005
8 memories
January 15
fun
First Warriors game together, for Tom's birthday
#Firsts
May 28
wedding
Julie graduates with her MBA from SFSU. Her brother Paul secretly brings a suspicious Julie up to Twin Peaks, where Tom laid out rose petals on the ground. Tom gets down on one knee and proposes! Both families arrive to celebrate and take photos before a celebratory Chinese banquet.
#Proposal
#Twin Peaks
#Engagement
#Family
#Milestone
August 11-16
wedding
Trip to New York for Paul and Josei's wedding
#Travel
2006
15 memories
February 4
milestone
Engagement party
Photos
#Memories
April 29
milestone
Julie's birthday dinner at Blowfish Sushi to Die For. Drinks later at Sugar Lounge. Gay clubbing later at <undisclosed location>.
#Dining
June 13
wedding
Letterpressed wedding invitations at San Francisco Center for the Book.
Photos
#Memories
July 22
career
Engagements pictures taken at University of California, Berkeley.
#UC Berkeley
September 2
wedding
Preparation of wedding programs and favors with family and friends at 295 Lenox Ave., #401 in Oakland, CA. One week before the wedding!
Photos
#Wedding
#Oakland
#Family
#Friends
September 9
wedding
Julie & Tom are married! Beautiful open-air ceremony at Shakespeare Garden in Golden Gate Park, followed by a joyous celebration at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel on Union Square.
Photos
#Wedding
#San Francisco
#Milestone
September 15 – 27
travel
Right after our wedding, we flew to Italy for an unforgettable honeymoon! Wandered Florence staying near the Ponte Vecchio, explored ancient ruins and piazzas in Rome from Hotel Paba, and drifted along the canals of Venice.
#Italy
#Honeymoon
#Florence
#Rome
#Venice
#Milestone
November 4
career
Launch party and jewelry showcase for Julie's jewelry company (Porsche and Rocket) at 663 South Mayfair Ave, Daly City, CA.
#Porsche and Rocket
#Jewelry
#Milestone
#Julie
November 10
family
Family gathering and special celebration event for Dad at SFSU Seven Hills, San Francisco, CA.
#Family
#Celebration
#San Francisco
November 11 – 14
travel
Southern California trip flying via JetBlue (Oakland to Long Beach) to visit the Bui family in Fountain Valley.
#SoCal
#Travel
#Long Beach
#Family
November 25 – 26
family
Thanksgiving weekend trip flying via JetBlue (Oakland to Long Beach) for family holiday festivities in Orange County.
#SoCal
#Thanksgiving
#Travel
#Family
2007
1 memories
July 20 – 28
travel
Summer getaway enjoying beaches, island drives, and tropical sunsets in Hawaii.
#Hawaii
#Vacation
#Tropical
#Beaches
2008
2 memories
January 3
fun
Glamour photoshoot session in Taiwan along the lakefront and coastal shores.
Photos
#Photoshoot
#Memories
#Taiwan
August 15 – 22
travel
Summer Caribbean getaway in Cancun exploring the coast and beaches.
#Mexico
#Cancun
#Vacation
#Travel
2009
1 memories
June 12 – 24
travel
Trip exploring ancient history in Athens and cliffside sunsets across the Greek islands.
#Greece
#Athens
#Santorini
#Travel
#Milestone
2010
3 memories
March 26 – April 3
career
Annual team retreat and family vacation in Hawaii with the Valve crew.
#Valve
#Hawaii
#Celebration
#Travel
July 1
career
Relocated from the San Francisco Bay Area up to Seattle to start at Valve Software, settling into the Chloe Apartments on Capitol Hill before putting down long-term roots in the Pacific Northwest.
#Career
#Valve
#Moving
#Seattle
#Capitol Hill
July 4
travel
Family road trip test event.
#Test
#RoadTrip
2011
2 memories
May 19
family
Sydney Grey Bui is born! Our lives change forever as we welcome our sweet baby daughter into the world.
Photos
#Firsts
#Milestone
#Sydney
#Family
September 9 – 11
milestone
Celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary with baby Sydney on a weekend getaway to British Columbia! Stayed right on the water at The Westin Bayshore, strolling the Coal Harbour marina and Stanley Park seawall.
Photos
#Vancouver
#Canada
#Anniversary
#5 Years
#Travel
#Milestone
2012
2 memories
April 10 – 21
travel
Extended island vacation with baby Sydney! Flew from Kona to Oahu to stay at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani in Waikiki, followed by a week-long cruise through the islands aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America.
Photos
#Hawaii
#Cruise
#NCL
#Island Hopping
#Family
#Sydney
May 19
family
Celebrating Sydney's 1st birthday milestone surrounded by family and friends, reflecting on our first full year as parents.
Photos
#Sydney
#Birthday
#Firsts
#Family
#Celebration
2013
2 memories
March 23 – 31
family
Headed back down to the Bay Area with Julie and Sydney, catching up with family and old haunts around the city, playing at the Metreon, and attending GDC.
Photos
#San Francisco
#California
#GDC
#Bay Area
#Family
September 30
family
Nolan Clarke Bui is born! Our family of four is officially complete, and Sydney steps into her role as a big sister.
Photos
#Milestone
#Nolan
#Family
2014
4 memories
March 18
career
Traveled down to San Francisco for the red-carpet world premiere of Valve's feature documentary Free to Play at the historic Castro Theatre.
Photos
#Valve
#Documentary
#Premiere
#San Francisco
#Gaming
March 21 – April 1
travel
Family spring trip to Japan during cherry blossom season! Flew ANA, stayed at The Yokohama Bay Hotel Tokyu, followed by an apartment stay in Shinjuku. Explored the Tokyo Skytree, Senso-ji Temple, Ghibli Museum, and park rides with 2-year-old Sydney and baby Nolan in the carrier.
Photos
#Japan
#Tokyo
#Yokohama
#Cherry Blossoms
#Family
#International
April 6 – 14
travel
Family retreat to the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa with Julie, Sydney, Nolan, and extended family—beach days, feeding resort koi, and poolside relaxation.
Photos
#Hawaii
#Kauai
#Grand Hyatt
#Valve
#Family
September 30
family
Celebrating Nolan's 1st birthday milestone, marking a full year as a lively family of four!
Photos
#Nolan
#Birthday
#Firsts
#Family
#Celebration
2015
4 memories
February 18 – 21
travel
Winter mountain trip to British Columbia staying at the Four Seasons Resort Whistler. Sydney took her first ski lessons on the slopes of Blackcomb.
Photos
#Canada
#Whistler
#Skiing
#Four Seasons
#Family
#Winter
April 3 – 11
travel
Spring family retreat staying at The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, renting an 8-person poolside cabana suite, celebrating an Easter egg hunt with the kids, and enjoying cliffside Maui sunsets.
Photos
#Hawaii
#Maui
#Kapalua
#Ritz-Carlton
#Valve
#Family
April 15
milestone
Planted deep roots on the Eastside! Purchased our home at 16405 SE Cougar Mountain Way in Bellevue, transitioning from city living into a quiet forested neighborhood where Sydney and Nolan had plenty of space to grow and play.
Photos
#Bellevue
#Cougar Mountain
#Home
#Real Estate
#Milestone
September 4 – 7
travel
End-of-summer road trip up to British Columbia, dining across Richmond and Vancouver, and exploring neighborhood parks.
Photos
#Canada
#Vancouver
#Road Trip
#Food
#Family
2016
2 memories
April 1 – 9
travel
Island getaway staying at the Grand Wailea in Maui, spending days at the resort water elevator, pool slides, and beachside snorkeling with Sydney and Nolan.
Photos
#Hawaii
#Maui
#Grand Wailea
#Valve
#Family
#Beaches
September 9
milestone
Celebrating a decade of marriage! Reunited with many friends from our original wedding party in the private dining room at Thomas Keller's The French Laundry in Yountville, Napa Valley.
Photos
#Anniversary
#French Laundry
#Wedding Party
#10 Years
#Milestone
2017
2 memories
June 22 – July 20
travel
First month-long family residency abroad. Rented a London townhouse; explored museums, parks, and landmarks.
Photos
#London
#UK
#Month Abroad
#Travel
#Family
June 27 – July 3
travel
During our summer month in London, we hopped on the Eurostar across the channel to Amsterdam! Stayed at the Hotel NH Amsterdam Centre, exploring city canals, Dutch architecture, and historic neighborhoods.
Photos
#Netherlands
#Amsterdam
#Eurostar
#Travel
#Family
2018
3 memories
June 15
milestone
Purchased our family home at 9536 NE 1st St in Bellevue, WA, establishing roots in the Eastside.
Photos
#Bellevue
#Home
#Washington
#Family
August 10 – 15
travel
Reunited with the Cal crew down in Southern California! Caught up with Bruce, Johnny, and the families at Madison Park and tasted our way through the Anaheim Packing District.
Photos
#Cal Gang
#Reunion
#Anaheim
#UC Berkeley
#Friends
#Family
September 9 – 16
travel
Celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary with a week in the City of Light! Flew Air France from Seattle, stayed at Hotel Villa Saint Germain des Prés, and spent the week enjoying Parisian bistros, Saint-Germain galleries, and dining at Sola.
Photos
#Paris
#France
#Anniversary
#Travel
#Couples
2019
2 memories
June 17 – July 17
travel
A month living at Charlottehaven in Copenhagen. Explored canals, city parks, bakeries, and Billund (Legoland).
Photos
#Denmark
#Copenhagen
#Month Abroad
#Travel
#Family
October 10 – 14
fun
Halloween-season family trip to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.
Photos
#Disneyland
#California
#Family
#Halloween
2020
1 memories
September 2 – 4
travel
Summer getaway exploring forested trails, river views, and outdoor downtime at Skamania Lodge.
Photos
#Washington
#Pacific Northwest
#Nature
#Family
2021
1 memories
October 8 – 11
travel
Autumn island getaway on wooded acreage on Lopez Island, exploring beaches and trails.
Photos
#San Juan Islands
#Lopez Island
#Washington
#Nature
#Family
2022
3 memories
February 20 – 26
travel
Mid-winter getaway to Carmel Valley Ranch enjoying valley views and coastal drives.
Photos
#California
#Carmel
#Vacation
#Family
April 9 – 18
travel
Spring break trip to Grand Hyatt Kauai in Koloa, drifting river pools and south shore hikes.
Photos
#Hawaii
#Kauai
#Spring Break
#Family
July
travel
Mountain trip in Big Sky hiking scenic trails, wildlife viewing, and mountain vistas.
Photos
#Montana
#Big Sky
#Outdoors
#Summer
#Family
2023
2 memories
June 23 – July 25
travel
Month-long residency at The Onsider in Barcelona. Sagrada Família, Park Güell, tuk-tuk tours, and San Sebastián.
Photos
#Spain
#Barcelona
#Month Abroad
#Travel
#Family
August 10 – 15
travel
Annual Cal gang reunion trip heading down to sunny San Diego. Beach days with Bruce and the kids, coastal walks, and afternoon visits through Balboa Park.
Photos
#Cal Gang
#Reunion
#San Diego
#UC Berkeley
#Friends
#Beach
2024
1 memories
December 21 – 28
travel
Christmas week in Japan. Flew ANA to Haneda, stayed in Yokohama, explored Tokyo, illuminations, and art exhibits.
Photos
#Japan
#Tokyo
#Yokohama
#Holidays
#Travel
#Family
2025
4 memories
June 7
fun
Saw Coldplay live on the Music of the Spheres World Tour at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Photos
#Music
#Concert
#Coldplay
#Las Vegas
June 25 – July 18
travel
An unforgettable three-week family adventure across Australia! Flew Qantas from Seattle to Sydney via LAX, stayed at the Capella Sydney, took helicopter tours over Sydney Harbour and the Blue Mountains, watched the sunrise over Uluru in the Red Centre, explored the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns, and wrapped up at the Park Hyatt Melbourne after driving the Great Ocean Road.
Photos
#Australia
#Sydney
#Uluru
#Cairns
#Melbourne
#Travel
#Family
#Milestone
July 27 – August 3
travel
Heading north to Whistler for an epic mountain reunion with the Cal crew! Rented a mountain chalet, hired a private chef, went alpine hiking and mountain biking around the lakes, and hosted a signature career night presentation.
Photos
#Cal Gang
#Reunion
#Whistler
#Canada
#Mountains
#UC Berkeley
#Friends
#Milestone
October 5
fun
Live concert night out in Seattle to see Benson Boone perform.
Photos
#Music
#Concert
#Seattle
2026
5 memories
June 25 – July 8
travel
Summer family trip across France and England with Parisian dining, museums, and countryside tours.
Photos
#Europe
#Paris
#London
#Travel
#Family
July 5
fun
Race day trackside from the Paddock Club at Silverstone Circuit.
Photos
#Formula 1
#Silverstone
#Sports
#Travel
July 24
family
Family getaway to Las Vegas featuring live music at the Sphere with Julie, Lisa, and the Cheng family.
Photos
#Las Vegas
#Sphere
#Family
#Cheng Family
September 9
milestone
Celebrating 20 years of marriage! We rented out the entire The French Laundry restaurant in Yountville for friends, family, and our original wedding party to celebrate two decades of love and milestones together.
Photos
#Anniversary
#French Laundry
#Full Buyout
#Family & Friends
#Wedding Party
#20 Years
#Milestone
November 21 – 29
travel
Thanksgiving week in Belize exploring coastal waters, island beaches, and Mayan ruins.
#Belize
#Thanksgiving
#Tropical
#Travel
#Family