Arlene and Angel’s first encounter was thanks to Vicky Driggs and Joe & Jillian Valdovinos. Together, they devised a plan to set up Angel and Arlene during a Senior Citizen prom that Arlene was planning in a castle at Manhattanville College. Although Angel had fractured his ankle, was in a cast, and ordered to bed rest, something in his heart told him to get out of bed and attend the event. Angel arrived early, and was sitting by the entrance of the castle. As Arlene walked in through the main entrance and exchanged a glance with Angel, a spark came to life, and they knew right then and there that this was the start of a beautiful love story. Now 9 years later their journey comes full circle when they will say I do in the place where they first met.

During their first date at an Italian Restaurant, Arlene described her dream wedding proposal at Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain. It was precisely in that park where Arlene realized the sky was the limit, and anything was possible. As the years passed, they grew closer, connecting more and more each day. Fast forward 6 years to Thanksgiving in 2018, Rosie Lopez, Arlene’s sister, proposed they take their mother to to Spain and Italy, Angel seized the opportunity at hand and began to plan to hijack the trip as he knew this was his opportunity to make Arlene’s dream proposal come true. He bought a ring, handmade “Will You Marry Me” signs, and devised a plan to make this the most memorable proposal possible. Angel played this moment over and over again in his head until the day finally came. On August 8th 2019, during a record heat wave, in the middle of Parque Guell, both nervous and excited, Angel led Arlene astray as her family prepared for the proposal. As they made their way back she saw her family holding the signs “Will You Marry Me?”. Arlene was taken back and not really sure of what was happening, she then turned towards Angel who was down on one knee, and he asked her to marry him.