Alberto and I met when I was volunteering for a fellowship program called the Leonine Forum in New York City. I had completed the program the previous year and was now welcoming all the new fellows - Alberto was one of them! Towards the end of the night, we had a conversation and saw many of our common interests - including his attending the University of Navarra (like my dad and sisters), our love of dancing and my commitment to make margaritas for his upcoming party. Fast forward over the next few months, Alberto and I danced, laughed and sang our way into falling in love and made it official on January 16, 2021. I will always be grateful for our first Thanksgiving run and the many sunsets we basked in that first winter together. -El

On a drizzly New York evening, I led Elena to a cozy bar near my old place. Out of the blue, she suggested, "If the rain lets up, let's dance in the park we love!" As luck would have it, the skies cleared. Reaching the bridge by the river, her favorite tune began to play on a saxophone. As she spun around to find the melody, I went down on one knee and pulled out the ring I'd hidden in my sock all day. All was going according to my plan! She turned back, in shock, speechless, both laughing and crying. After 15 seconds that felt like a lifetime, I asked again... she said yes!!!!! A friend, hidden between the bushes and camera-ready, captured the moment (thanks, Alfonso!). After fighting off an angry neighbor (11pm on a Tuesday), we continued dancing to the saxophone while the moon set on that misty New York night. -Al