June 2005

Alex and Chika meet at Nokia Summer Party. Alex is intrigued, Japanese woman in Finland…

January 2006

Alex and Ben are going out in London, and Alex calls on his friend Esther to join. Esther says will bring a friend. The friend is Chika!

February 2006

Alex and Chika meet in Helsinki to kill a Sunday afternoon. They have a small snack at a cafe, go walking across the ice, drink hot spiced wine, and discover their common fondness of Sudoku.

June 2006

Alex invites Chika to come to his last margarita party while living in Finland. Surprisingly, she shows up from London. Things start to get interesting.

August 2006

Chika comes on her first holiday to New York. Alex is conveniently living there now. Chika has her first of multiple encounters with Mario Tai (Alex’s friend and dentist) and her first beach trip to the Hamptons (courtesy of our friend Stephen Messer).

December 2006

Chika comes for another dental visit just in time to celebrate Alex’s birthday with his friends and family. And one more margarita party, this time as my girlfriend.

December 2006/January 2007

Alex and Chika take the plunge and go on their first voyage together in a place neither had been before: India! Nokia New Years party in Mumbai. Adventures with Anne, Sam, and Brendan. A missed plane leads to bonus adventure in Dehli.

March 2007

Chika’s advertising project brings her to New York. A potential move in the future?

April 2007

An official contract, a relocation package, and an invitation to live together, and a decadent farewell party in London…

June 2007

First of many trips to France, roundezvousing for Crystelle and Stephane’s marriage in the countryside.

July 2007

Special birthday celebrations bring Alex and his future mother-in-law and sister-in-law together for the first time. Together, Chika and Alex put together a unique tour from Los Angeles to Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon.

December 2007/
January 2008

First trip to Japan together. Nights out drinking and eating with Chika’s friends. Spa trip with the family. And then adventuring in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.

April 2008

For Chika’s birthday weekend, and extra special surprise. The engagement is official.

June 2005

I was living in Helsinki, Finland. At Nokia Summer Party, I met Alex through common colleague friends, Moyeen, Esther, and Ben L. I remembered we talked for a while.

January 2006

Moved to live in London, UK. My friend Esther moved to London at the same time. One day she told me to join for a dinner at Soho House, where I met Alex and Ben M over dinner. We all dropped by at a famous night club Fabric, but went home soon. Alex was staying over weekend. He asked me to join for Dim Sum lunch on Sat, and brunch at Tate Modern on Sun.

A week later from the weekend, I was in Finland. I was flying to Finland on business trip every week these days. I stayed over weekend and Alex and I went out to walk on a frozen sea. The temperature -25 celsius, sunny, and it was the coldest date in my life!

After this, I think we started emailing each other and met when we were in the same countries.

June 2006

Margarita Party on the terrace. I was in Finland and went the party with several friends. It was a big party (50+ people?). Tasty Margarita, but very strong! Everyone got drunk (or wasted, to be precise).

Xavier's played a guitar, and Alex and I sang many songs, very badly as we were drunk, including Hotel California.

I helped Alex and brought drink bottles back to his apartment. Ended up staying there together with Chris M.

This year, Alex and I went Nokia Summer Party together.

July 2006

Finally Alex had to move back to New York. Although we were living in different countries, as we often met thanks to business trips, I was sad Alex leaving Helsinki for New York - he was such a fun person to hangout with. Alex told me to visit New York sometime as he has 2 bedroom apartment. I decided to spend my 2006 summer vacation in New York.

August 2006

Spent 2 weeks in New York, staying at Alex's apartment. Naoko, my friend from Japan, came to New York too. Alex was sooo kind and took care of me amazingly. From Met in the Park Opera, MoMA, local hamburger places tour, to clubbing in the night!! Met Ben M again a few times, once at SoHo House and the other at Le Parker Meridian Hotel. We also went Hamptons and stayed at Steve M's gorgeous summer house for a few days. Alex cooked very tasty pancake which I couldn't stop falling in love with!

By the way, on the way to New York, at the London Heathrow, my old tooth filling came off. As soon as I arrived in New York, I asked Alex for dentist reference. and he introduced me to his super doctor Mario. I went to see Mario, and he carefully examined my teeth and the tooth. Mario found a new cavity, treated the cavity, and started treating the tooth. He told me to come back in 4 weeks!

Sep - December 2006

I was visiting New York to see my dentist Mario every month. Alex kindly offered me his home to stay over. My final tooth treatment was in December, a few days before Alex's birthday. Alex asked me to join the birthday party with his family and friends. I found out that I was the only friend at the dinner table. Another big margarita party in Helsinki - he received many kisses from girls wishing for happy birthday for him.

January 2007

Traveled around India with Alex, Anne, Brendan, and Sam. I like Alex very much. So far several friends expressed worries about the long distance relationships. Also warned me of different dating cultures (apparently in the US or NY people date with multiple partners at the same time.) It seems true that Alex has many female friends all over the world.. I made up my mind to... let's not be trapped by the rumors or imagination, but trust how he looks at me and treats the precious people around him.

End up staying in India for 2 weeks due to airport congestion. We went Taj Mahal. I thought the way he looked at me was becoming sweetest ever :)

February 2007

I had 2 internal job offers: one with the possibility to live in Paris where I adored, the other with frequent visit to New York. What should I do? Got text message from Alex, "Hope you will be my Valentine." Finally took the latter job offer, and it turned out that I needed to move to NY! Alex offered me to live with him.

April 2007

Alex took me for my birthday dinner. We talked many things about our families, life. He gave me a very nice diamond pierces, and told me that "today is our anniversary 0." We became finally official ;) Got working permit, left London, and moved in to Alex's apartment in New York.

July 2007

Alex met with my mom, Yukie, and sis, Megumi. We rented a car and road-tripped to LA/Las Vegas/Grand Canyon and cerebrated my mom's big birthday together.

February 2008

It was on my beloved father's birthday, who passed away when I was 6. We were at Alex's parents'. I was impressed again with how Alex's mom, Renee, prepared the beautiful dinner setting and color coordinations. When we all seated, Alex and his father Saul showed me the amazing family ring. I was so surprised, excited,,, and speechless with this happiest shock happened in my life! I accepted with great honor and inherited the precious diamond from Saul's father. I couldn't sleep the night, so I was very sleepy next day at work.

April 2008

Alex took me to romantic birthday weekend to St.Martin in Caribbean. We had birthday party with Anne on the first night until early in the morning. Alex asked me to wake-up for sunrise. We woke up a few hours later, went to beach, and sat on the seashore. It was so gorgeous, as if watching the golden gate's opening. When I was somehow filled with warm happiness, Alex took my hand, and went down on his knee!! Woooow!! I can't describe how happy I was. "Will you marry me?" still echoes in my heart.

My mom and sister came to the US again, stayed at our apartment, and met Wolfson family for the first time. We were all happy :) What a wonderful life :)

Yuri Takashima

It's almost 10 years since Chika and I happened to be seated next each other at the first party after I joined Nokia Japan and found out we grew up in the same city and graduated from the same high school! We have been good friends since then. Chika is very good at making friends because of her friendliness and tender grace. Also her exceptional flexible ideas surprise people around her a lot. Chika is always pursuing her dream and can turn it into reality. I really admire her ambitious spirit and firm brief. Chika has been circling the globe in search of something great to satisfy herself and it seems eventually she met the greatest guy, Alex. I know Chika's journey around the globe will never stop and she will make another dream come true much more quickly together with Alex. I am really sorry I can't attend the wedding parry in New York but I am really looking forward to seeing the gorgeous couple in Tokyo soon!

Chika and Alex, congratulations on your marriage!!

Yass Ass

Mike Wolfson
(Alex's brother)

I've known Alex for 36 years, since the day I came into this world. I have not seen him happier in the last few since he met Chika (and as we all know, Alex is a happy guy to start with). Chika is wonderful and Melanie and I are so happy to have a great new sister.

Anri Seki

I first met with Alex on the airplane in '94. He was next of my seat. I was literally moving to NY, he was on the way back from business trip in Tokyo. I was excited, but a little sad to leave Tokyo and nervous to move new place.

He asked me about the cassette tape (!) I was listening, that was filled with lot of tunes that we both like. (mostly 4AD label- my friend compiled for my farewell Japan) Talking with Alex made long 12 hours flight to short, we kept talking and found lots of commons in music and movie tastes! He has been our precious friend since then.

He always invite us fun events. From freezing Chinese New Year walking tour, numerous yummy dim sum feasts, night outs, to fun home entertainment. (he is a good chef!) Alex is always with many friends - they are all fun.

He always takes good care of me and me and Yass (my husband), friends and family. He is always inspirational, fun, energetic, innovative and smart.

I remember he mentioned about his Japanese friends visiting him and told I should meet her- that was in summer ’06. I could not see her at that time- that was Chika! I first met with Chika at Alex’s birthday on that year.

Since she became New Yorker, she became very good friend! She is so sweet, fun, energetic, innovative and smart - oh well same description as Alex...I can’t describe well enough how good match of this couple. They both are super energetic, open minded, traveling around the world, curious for adventures, love all kind of tasty foods... etc. etc.

I’m so happy to get shared all happy moments of them!
Congratulations Alex and Chika, warmest wishes for your future!

Antoine&Floriane

Me and Floriane met Alex on the 30th of April 2006 if I remember well, for the 2nd Margarita Party he hosted in his Helsinki apartment. Those margarita parties have now become famous and are the subject of a cult in Finland where the sacred Margarita Bowl is religiously passed on to fellow members of the cult upon departure of the previous owner from the country.

The Alex picture I have from our encounter is not from this party however but from the day after for the traditional picnic day of the 1st of May in Helsinki's Kaivopuisto.

Crystelle Sabah

Alex and Chika know that we are always LATE!
Late for appointments, late for responses, late for...

But despite our tardiness, we are ALWAYS here if needed!
And they are too... There are so many million great moments we have spent with this great couple. In Paris or in New York City, we have always found a way to see each other. One time, we even met Alex at the airport. He was just arriving in Paris and of course we were on our way to the Big Apple.

Just a year ago, when we were in The City for Stef's 35th, Alex and Chika told me not to stress out. They organized everything from the small details to a fantastic pasta party for 30 people!

They are always there for us and such close, dear friends. Friendship is so important for us, just as it is for them.

These two make such a beautiful and great couple!! Mazeltov!

Rainer Wessler

I have met Chika when I worked at Vodafone and she was my counterpart at Nokia. I guess we were meant to be super tough with each other and to negotiate really hard ;-) ... which turned out to be quite difficult because we became friends immediately. We have managed to stay in touch since - thanks to to her being the globetrotter that she is, our ways are still crossing regularly. I can only hope we keep it like that ;-)
My best wishes to you both Chika & Alex!!!

Bruce Egan

Alex (aka ACE/LOGJAM!) Wolfson -- congratulations! I can't remember exactly when we first had a kamikazi martini toast -- probably about 1990-91 -- anyway, I definitely do not remember much after our infamous toast(s). It's like Lays Potato Chips, it's hard to have just one!

Stephen Johnston

i've been friends with alex for 3 years since he joned our team in nokia.
he's always been the party host with the most, and we've enjoyed countless dinners and festivities, and his encyclopaedic knowledge of new york. he's also the most reliable and generous friend, and am really happy for him and chika, who has turned him into a new man.

Vincenzo Belpiede

Last year I went to Helsinki School of Economics to pursue my dream to work at Nokia, even though I was freezing at -20degrees...not fun for a southern Italian. After I met Alex at an ASW dinner my dream to join Nokia became an obsession...I had to become like Alex! =)) He is the coolest guy I know from Nokia and not only, he's so funny he always makes me laugh, always ready to party, dances in the funniest way ever, always has got contacts wherever you go, I just update my status and he's like "contact this and that", not to mention that he's so brilliant at his job!!!!

I'm so happy for you guys!!!!!

I was just in Japan last week so NIPPON DAISUKI forever!!!!!
October, 2008

Kataoka Mariko

Mariko&Chika&Esther

Although we used to work together in Tokyo, it all really started when we unexpectedly bumped into each other at Selfridges in London. We both thought the other was supposed to be in another country! Always fashionable, always fun seeking, always networking (socially & technically) and always travelling, Chika goes around the world making new friends but also shares her old ones. She's a sharer of fun & love ;-)

Jeff Rosenberg

We were on the way to Phenom Phen in Cambodia when we stopped over in Chau Doc for an evening.
January, 2008

How I know alex.....

Our grandmother's were sisters making us cousins.

Michelle Gorenstein

Michelle, her husband Joel and their daughter Sarah.

Alex is my cousin, and over the years we've had loads of fun hanging outtogether. He took me "under his wing" when I moved to NYC and showed mearound. He's introduced me to wonderful people and delicious foods I never would have had without him. And the most important thing he taught me was that sneakers are for the gym.

Jeffrey Pietras

Alex and I met as co-workers on the same Corporate Strategy team at Nokia. During the past few years, I've had the pleasure of working with Alex in interesting places like India, reliving fraternity house madness during the infamous Helsinki margarita parties, and maximizing our expense accounts on great restaurants in New York.

Alex is a true bon-vivant who has found a great companion in life and love - Chika. May you two continue to experience all the finer things!

Michelle Bacci

Michelle and her husband Stephen

I have had the pleasure of working closely with Chika at Nokia for the past few years. Chika is one of the most intelligent, sweetest, hard-working, creative, graceful people you will ever meet. Through Chika I have had the opportunity to meet Alex whom is also filled with just as much intelligence and charisma. The two of them together make an outstanding couple.

Chika and Alex, may you cherish your wedding day, and may it bring you happiness for all of your life together!

Wes&Masami Heiser

Wes&Masami Heiser pouring a 15 liter bottle of Bordeaux to celebrate Alex&Chika's wedding.

Wes and Alex know each other from working as stage hands for bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Waterboys, Tracy Chapman, 10,000 Maniacs and others to perform at the University of Pennsylvania auditorium when we were both supposed to be more focused on our undergraduate studies there. Since our undergraduate days, Alex has visited me and my wife Masami in Singapore several times.

Yee-Wuen Lee

Yee-Wuen&Guillaume

I actually can't even remember how I got to know Alex. I can only remember his Margarita's parties (and of course the part when the police came). ;) Alex is a fun-loving guy and holds the best parties in town! He's also one of the best connected people I know. Not tough to guess why. ;)

Marika Ollaranta

Chika is energetic and constantly ready for something new. Her happy face makes everybody else also to be in better mood. Her husband should remember that it is must to have bath at their home :-)

All the best and happiness to your marriage!

Tuomas Korpela

I got to know Chika in Finland.

She came for a job interview in February 2004. Before this, I had heard a couple of references from good sources. We had an interesting discussion and it resulted in us proceeding with a contract. Chika moved to Finland. It must have been exotic for her. I will never forget our first business trip to Rome. It was right after she had moved to Finland. I believe it was her first contact how to work with Italians. I got an allergic reaction in the Rome airport on the way back and Chika had an antihistamine tablet with her that cured me. Back in the plane, I realized she had a business class ticket and I was travelling in economy.

Attached photos are from Berlin in November 2004 where we had a city orienteering game with team Sami, Juha, myself and Chika. The game ended in a Turkish restaurant (see pic 136) with the rest of the Technology & Portfolio Management team EMEA. We had many of these types of team events and Chika was always a hard party animal.

It was a pleasure to work with her 2004-2005. She is very talented, hard working, good with customers, and has a great sense of humor.

Takeshi Suzuki

Chika has ever been inspiring me about culture, business, and lifestyle since I met her as a colleague planner at I&S/BBDO. She had already traveled the world twice at least while I moved to Nike. I am sure she will keep on going...so I am now trying to catch up!

Ben&Tonya Mezrich

We love alex so much, and are so happy he has found someone as special as Chika to be his lifelong partner. I've known alex for about 10 years, and benny has for about 30! Alex is like a brother to us. Ben met alex in high school when they lived in princeton, where alex was always teaching ben about neat things like, adult movies, and smoking cigarettes. I met alex when i started dating ben, but i feel like i've known him my whole life. These pictures tell a little bit about alex, and portray some key characteristics of this chap!

this first pic is alex and me on avenue george V in paris the weekend ben and i got engaged. he was there right with us the whole weekend, and even was sweet enough to order a breakfast in bed to be served to us the morning of our engagement. This guy really knows how to take care of his friends...That brings me to this second picture... Here is alex pictured feeding and taking care of Chika. Alex is always the one you can count on. Alex took such good care of us at our wedding, as ben's best man, we could not have asked for anyone more qualified, or caring than this man. You feel safe with this guy, like nothing can go wrong( and if it does... airline agent/manager of restaurant/hotel manager, BEWARE! t he wrath of alex will bite you in the butt, and make you give freebies to every one around!!)...speaking of butts... on to the third picture pictured here... it's just one funny snapshot of the wacky zany things this guy is always doing. (i think we were training bugsy to be a circus dog, or something of the sort) alex, of course is such a good pug uncle, and will make a specatacular dad, as demonstrated here. The last two pictures are those taken during our annual trip to paris, where these lovebirds found enough time to hang out with us and the frenchies, as well as pick up chika's beautiful gown, and a few other fantastic ideas for their wedding. We love alex, we are so glad he found someone we will love as much as we do him, and wish this couple the very best wishes on their special day, and on the future they will build together. mazel tov!!!

bugsy

Melanie Wolfson

Melanie&Sydney
(New Wolfson!)

Melanie&Mike(Alex's brother)

I have known Chika since Alex first brought her to meet his family and parents. I am married to his brother mike. From the moment i saw the two of them together I knew they were right for each other. She makes Alex so happy. I am so excited to have Chika as my new sister-in-law. We will have so much fun together with our Wolfson brothers!

Moyeen Ahmad

Chika and I were colleagues in Nokia Finland in 2004, and sat opposite each other in the office. We worked very hard but also had lots of fun. Finland is not always the easiest place for a foreigner so you need a sense of humour to survive- which she has very much :-) Chika was always in good spirits and energizing the team, even the morning after many hours of teambuilding! I'm glad to have Chika as a friend, and wish her and Alex the very best for the future!

Kevin&Melanie Chisholm

This is a picture of the Chisholm's - Kevin, Melanie, Chloe and Baby Zoe.

About 15 years ago, as undergraduate students at Columbia, Kevin and Melanie became friends with Alex while working for him at CITI (Columbia Business School for Tele-Information) at the Columbia Business School. We have been good friends ever since!

We are so happy that Alex has met Chika -- they are a perfect match!

We very much like Chika and can't wait to meet you.