A unique courtship will culminate in an unusual wedding on the Capitol steps for Chuck Osborn and Shrun Lata this Nevada Day.
"Shrun looks to be different in life, and I do, too," Osborn said. "It has been that way, but we've enjoyed it."
The Modesto couple met about eight years ago when Lata, a nurse, was caring for Osborn's neighbor.
Neither of the two was single at the time, but they became friends. As both of their marriages ended in divorce, the friendship evolved into a romance.
"She's a real caring person with people and animals and the world," Osborn said. "She really wants to make a difference in the world. I guess we have that in common."
The terms of the relationship were made clear when Lata's brother asked Osborn to marry his sister.
Osborn accepted.
Having decided to get married, they needed to set a date, which proved difficult in sorting out each of their prior commitments. They knew they wanted to get married in Nevada, but ruled out Reno and Las Vegas.
"We decided that Nov. 1 would be ours," Osborn concluded. "We decided that the capital was the place to get married."
Then they found out about the Nevada Day Parade and other festivities and worried no one would be available to conduct the ceremony.
Luckily, actual judges judge the beard contest after the parade.
Nevada Supreme Court Justice Mark Gibbons will be one of the judges and agreed to officiate the ceremony following the beard contest.
"Our intent is to be married on Nov. 1 in Carson City, Nevada," Osborn said. "Be it on the Capitol steps or anywhere else, we're just happy to be married. We're even somewhat excited about being part of Nevada Day, too."
Shrun, a Fiji native in her late 30s, will wear her traditional dress, a sari, for the ceremony. Osborn, in his early 50s, is considering Western dress to fit the circumstances.
They are expecting a "light entourage" of guests.
Mostly, they're just happy to be getting married.
"We've done a lot for other people," Osborn said. "From now on, life is for the two of us."
As for the beard contest, Osborn will not be entering.
"I'm very clean shaven," he explained.
