Dragon Weddings: Jacquelyn & Luis

Jacquelyn Snodgrass (Class of 1984) and Luis Gopez (1983) first crossed paths as High School students at Jakarta International School in 1980. Though they moved in different social circles, their lives brushed shoulders in those formative years. Luis even briefly dated one of Jacqui’s friends, and while they were friendly, there was no hint of what the future would one day hold.

Their connection deepened slightly when they both found themselves involved in the Joint Sound. Jacqui lent her voice to the group as a singer, while Luis played guitar in the backup band.

It was then, in a moment of youthful clarity, that Luis saw Jacqui in a new light. She had a spark, confidence, warmth, and charisma that made an impression. So much so, he confided to a fellow bandmate his interest in Jacqui. The bandmate's response? A blunt and unforgettable, “Dude, she’s out of your league!” And just like that, the spark was shelved, filed away in the realm of what-ifs.

After graduation, life swept them in separate directions. Luis headed to university in England, while Jacqui went to college in the United States the following year. The next three decades unfolded with the full tapestry of adult life: college, careers, marriages, children, and eventually, the heartaches of divorce. They saw each other briefly at the Anaheim Reunion in 1995, but their paths never crossed again — until fate intervened in the most unexpected way.

In 2013, the stars aligned at Luis’s 30th high school reunion in Orlando, Florida. Jacqui decided to attend, not knowing that the weekend would change her life. Amid the laughter, nostalgia, and reconnections, Jacqui and Luis found themselves deep in conversation. They spent time reminiscing about their days at JIS, shared values, house parties, dances in the covered area, and their shared love of Indonesia.

It seems they had spent more time together than they had ever realized. What started as casual catching-up quickly transformed into hours of heartfelt sharing about family, love, growth, and everything life had taught them all, with JIS and their Dragon family at the center of it. Yet, something was different now. The timing, it seemed, was finally right.

After the reunion, they returned to their lives on opposite sides of the country, Luis in California, Jacqui in Massachusetts. But the flame had been lit, and it refused to fade. They kept talking, texting, and calling. Before long, Jacqui invited Luis to visit Boston. One trip turned into many, and soon they were navigating a long-distance relationship that spanned the continent.

Eighteen months later, love demanded a leap of faith. Luis packed up and moved to Boston, joining Jacqui and her family. They built a life together grounded in humor, patience, and a shared love of music, community, connection, and above all, their love of JIS and Indonesia.

They continued their connection with the JIS community by co-hosting several alumni reunions in Boston and traveling to the 2018 Bali Reunion together. Those who attended may remember Luis rocking the stage with the JIS Reunion Band while Jacqui cheered like a true groupie — proof that some things never fade.

As their 10th anniversary as a couple approached, Luis decided it was time to fulfill a promise he had jokingly made many times before: “You know you’re going to have to marry me someday!” In 2023, he made it official by asking Jacqui to be his wife. They were married in Las Vegas on December 14, 2024, with no Elvis in sight, but plenty of love in the air.

Today, Luis and Jacqui continue to cherish their journey, past, present, and future with their blended family. Their time at JIS was the time of their lives, and they remain close to their JIS roots. They look forward to attending the 75th Reunion in Bali in August 2026. Theirs is a story of second chances, perfect timing, and a love that waited patiently for the right moment to bloom.