¡Nos Vamos a Casar! We're Getting Married!

While we had both been involved in a local youth camp for a few years (since 2007!), we had only seen each other and never really talked (although Gabi had secretly been drawn to Ale's style and personality for a couple of years). It wasn't until one of those final days of summer in 2012 that we spoke and formally introduced each other at a church community event. I [Gabi] was wearing a political shirt that sparked conversation with Alejandro - we disagreed, engaged in passionate conversation and finally agreed to disagree. This was the first of many and on-going conversations we would have and immensely enjoy to this day.

After a couple of years of running into each other at school (University), church events and camps, Ale and Gabi really began bonding in 2014 over Jason Mraz songs and World Cup fever. (Go, Deutschland!) It was during a summer trip to the beach with friends that both began uncovering warm and fuzzy feelings for each other. After that fateful trip, Ale got Gabi to agree to a date. The stage was set - September 6, 2014, at Old Town, Alexandria. However, planning for the night hit a few small bumps; some nerves kicked in and the date was left in question until the night before. That Saturday, Ale met up with Gabi and brought along with him a little bag of M&Ms as a "peace" treaty symbol. The trick worked and the night turned out to be one of the most magical nights both ever had. Ale and Gabi walked through the cobblestone streets of Old Town, had dinner at the best Italian spot around - Ill Porto - and walked through the iconic Wilkes Street tunnel. The night ended with a kiss and the promise of more adventures to come.

To celebrate our 4 year anniversary, Ale carefully and thoughtfully re-created our first date in Old Town, Alexandria. The plan was to walk around and have dinner at Il Porto - the Italian restaurant where we spent our first date. The day had been gray and rainy, but the rain came to a stop when we arrived at Old Town. We set off on our walk down King Street, reminiscing on our first date: How nervous we were, what we were each thinking at that time, the laughs we shared, the feelings and thoughts that followed that evening, and everything that we have experienced and gotten through together and by God's grace. I clung to Ale's arm while avoiding puddles together, as we did on our first date. After a while of peaceful walking through the streets of Old Town, we came about the Wilkes Street tunnel, where we walked through on that memorable first date night [fun fact: back in 2014, Gabi walked through the tunnel barefoot from having given up wearing her heels]. As we reached the other side of the tunnel, we came across a camera box. The photographer in me instantly told Ale, "I don't know who's camera that is, but I'm taking it!" As we got closer to the box, I realized there was a blanket underneath, and a mason jar filled with red and green M&Ms on top. Our siblings, David and Gracia jumped out from the sides holding signs with a timeline of our relationship. [Gabi wasn't wearing her glasses, so Ale read the signs out for her]. At some point during this sign reading, Jose Luis recording, and Haley taking photos, I [Gabi] eventually began to get an idea that something was going to happen. After reading our relationship timeline, Ale said, "Why don't you pick it up?" [referring to the mason jar]. I picked it up, but was too nervous to open it. He opened it, and right there was a little black box. (Ah!) Ale kept trying to ask THE question, but I kept interrupting him with hugs and kisses. (oops) Finally, the question was asked and the answer was given: "OF COURSE!"