We met in da club! Yup yup! I was dancing and I saw him from across the room and I just totally lied to you right now. Actually, the first time we met from what I (Cassandra) recalls was in Abel’s aunt’s van. They picked me up for a church event. I was about 13 years old and I was extremely quiet and shy. I think Abel tried to talk to me but I really didn’t say more than two words. Conversation was not my strong suit. (It still isn’t) Over the years, I would see Abel here and there when I would hangout with Nancy (his cousin and my middle school bestie). I eventually ended up going to the same church Abel was going to. I didn’t really talk to him much at first but slowly, very slowly, I started warming up to him a bit and would actually talk to him because I thought he was so cool. For the longest time, I didn’t see him as someone I wanted to date or anything. I just thought he was a really nice and cool guy. I liked his vibe ya know?

So back in 2009, we both volunteered to help out with VBS at the church we were going to. I’m not sure why I volunteered since I didn’t have a car back then, but Nancy told me that Abel could give me a ride. Nancy gave me Abel’s number and I texted him. I asked him if he didn’t mind giving me a ride to church for VBS and being the nice guy that he is, he said he didn’t mind. Honestly, I’m glad that he didn’t live too far from me because if he did I would’ve probably never even texted him since I wouldn’t want to be a burden if he had to travel far just to pick me up. I would like to add at this moment that a few months before VBS, my brain had told me, “Cassandra, you like Abel.” And I was like “pshhh yeah right. You don’t know what you’re talking about brain.” So yeah, out of nowhere, I started having a crush on Abel. Then I didn’t see him for a couple of weeks and I weirdly forgot about my crush. When he picked me up for VBS that first time I was not crushing on him. I was chill, it was all platonic feelings. However, it took only a day of hanging out with him for those butterflies to return. I don’t know if those butterflies were contagious or something because we both started liking each other. You know, like like like. When VBS ended we still continued to text and mildly flirt. I say mildly because I do not know how to flirt. Eventually, we admitted to one another that we liked each other and Abel asked me to be his girlfriend on August 29, 2009. It was right after we were leaving a friend’s birthday party. Abel also asked me if he could kiss me, but I told him he could kiss me on the cheek.

When Abel and I started going out, I had just turned 18. I wanted to focus on my education and church. Abel likewise had his own career goals that he wanted to pursue. We both decided that our education would come first before the thought of marriage was even on the table. Being able to have a college education is something that neither of our parents got to have. It was an opportunity that we weren't going to take for granted, no matter how much we loved each other. We also believed that if it was in God's plan for us to be married, we eventually would be. There was no need to rush. During our near-decade together, plans have changed. I went from wanting to be nurse to wanting to be a teacher. We've spent many many many days and hours studying together. (Well, not really the same subject. Just side by side.) We both want to eventually get our Masters one day. Through it all though we will uplift and support each other like we have been these passed 10 years.