We're getting married!

When I first met Alyssa, the idea that she’d one day be my wife wasn’t even a thought in my mind. We were just friends in the beginning, but even then, there was something about her that stood out. She was easy to talk to, like really easy, and I found myself drawn to her energy. Being around her was effortless. She could take any stressful day and lighten it just by laughing, and I remember thinking how good it felt just to be in her company. It didn’t take long before those everyday conversations turned into something more. Eventually, I asked her out for sushi, and that night is still one I’ll never forget. From the moment we sat down, it felt like everything just fit. Talking to her, being with her… it was all so natural, like we had known each other for years even though only a few months had passed. I think we both felt it, that sense of familiarity and comfort. Deep down, I knew we had stumbled onto something special. Not long after that, I graduated college and got my first job, which meant moving out of state. It was a huge step, and honestly, I wasn’t sure what would happen when I asked Alyssa to come with me. But without hesitation, she said yes. That moment told me everything I needed to know about the kind of partner she was. She was all in. Those few years away from home turned out to be some of the most defining in our relationship. We learned how to rely on each other, how to navigate life as a team, and how to find “home” in each other no matter where we were. We had two cats by that point, and they quickly became such a big part of our world. I never had pets growing up, so having them around was something completely new for me but I honestly can’t imagine life without them now. Every day, I feel incredibly happy and grateful to have Alyssa and our little crew in my life. There’s something about the way we all fit together that just feels like home. After we moved back to Texas, we bought our first house which was a huge milestone for us. That’s when I knew it was time to ask her to marry me. I wanted the proposal to mean something, and I couldn’t think of a better place than the home we were building together from the ground up. I caught her completely off guard, which made it even sweeter, and asking her to be my wife is still one of the best moments of my life. These days, our life is full. When I think back to how it all started, it’s hard to believe. She’s still my best friend, and now I get to call her my future wife.

When I first met Julio, at work, I never imagined that one day I’d be marrying him. We were just friends back then, but he stood out to me right away. He’s actually the very first memory that comes to mind when I think about that time in my life. I remember thinking of how funny he was and how much I loved his laugh. We eventually started hanging out outside of work, after our shifts and those late night snack runs were my favorite. Those little moments quickly became the highlight of my day. Fast forward to our first date, I remember feeling surprised at how natural it all was. Being with him felt so easy. There weren’t any nerves or awkward pauses, just the kind of comfort you usually only find in someone you’ve known for years. That’s when I knew there was something really special about us, something worth holding onto. One of the biggest turning points in our relationship came when he landed his first job out of college, and it happened to be out of state. When he asked me to go with him, saying “yes” was so easy for me to do — it just felt right. Even though we were leaving behind everything familiar, our families, our routines - I knew I had to go. And those two years away turned out to be such a beautiful, defining time for us. We grew closer, learned to rely on each other in every way, and I realized he was truly my partner in every sense. Eventually, we moved back home and bought our first house together — and that house now holds one of my favorite memories. One day, after spending the day together, Julio completely surprised me and proposed right there in our home. I was in shock (I really didn’t expect it!) but was so so happy. Saying yes in the place where we were starting our future together couldn’t have been more perfect. Now, we have a cozy life full of family, friends, and our two cats (I have to say, seeing Julio turn into the ultimate cat dad has been one of the cutest surprises of all). Looking back, I truly can’t imagine my life without him. I feel so lucky and grateful that life brought us together the way it did, and even more grateful that I get to spend forever with him.