Once upon a time, in a town not so far away, two souls lived just two minutes apart. Mateo and Ashley were practically neighbors, their lives quietly weaving around one another like threads waiting to be tied. Though they’d never truly met, they’d always known of each other. Mateo was Lexa’s childhood best friend, and Ashley was Lexa’s cousin—so his name often danced through the air in talks between Ashley, Lexa, and Raquel. His face was familiar, his name even more so. But as fate would have it, their paths simply never crossed… until one magical night in November 2021. That night began like any other. Ashley, full of spontaneous energy, nudged Lexa to invite her friends to join them for an evening out. Lexa called Mateo—Teo, as his friends called him—but he wasn't quite feeling up to it. That is, until Ashley—never one to be shy—snatched the phone from Lexa’s hand and said boldly, “Mateo, get your butt over here. You’re hanging out with us tonight.” To his surprise (and a bit of reluctance), Teo came. That night, something small and sweet began. Ashley later told her friends how easy Teo was to talk to, and how they “really hit it off—as friends.” And just like that, a new little circle was born. They went out often, laughing and making memories. And in the strangest, most delightful twist, whenever Ashley found herself dealing with unwanted attention, Teo would suddenly appear, slipping an arm around her, playing the role of the loyal boyfriend. He was her charming shield, and she was his damsel-not-so-in-distress. It was their unspoken game, and it worked like magic. But everything changed during Memorial Day weekend in 2022. It was the time of the annual Red River Memorial Bike Rally, and Ashley had no intention of going. She was set on staying home—until Lexa and Raquel’s persistent persuasion finally won her over. She couldn’t have known it then, but this would be no ordinary trip. This would be THE trip—the beginning of something entirely unexpected. The whole group reunited: Ashley, Raquel, Randy, Lexa… and of course, Mateo with his friends Kevin and Jordi. Things started just as they always had—Ashley and Teo laughing, teasing, still “just friends.” At one point, Ashley even tried to set Teo up with someone else, to which he playfully shook his head, silently thinking, Girl, I don’t want to be set up… I’m trying to be with you. Later that night, when another stranger approached Ashley with wandering intentions, she instinctively looked around for an escape. And just like that—right on cue—Teo appeared, his arm slipping around her once again, his presence a gentle shield. But this time, something felt different. As Ashley vanished from the scene, Teo was left with the poor fellow, listening to him gush about how lucky he was to have her and how he should never let her go—for a full ten minutes. When he finally rejoined Ashley, mock-scolding her with “How dare you just leave me there,” they couldn’t stop laughing. That night, something shifted. A drink was shared. Flirting found its way into their playful banter. Their conversations became longer, softer, more meaningful. From then on, they spoke often—sometimes like old friends, sometimes like something more. And by February 2023, on a snowy ski trip to Pagosa Springs, Colorado, destiny finally had its say. They were on a ski lift, high above the world, the mountains around them like something out of a dream. Ashley, never one to wait on fate, turned to Teo and asked with a smile, “So… when are you gonna ask me to be your girlfriend?” Teo laughed, shaking his head. “Well, I was gonna do it now… but I guess it wouldn’t be you if you didn’t ask right before I was going to.” And just like that, something beautiful began. Now, with love that grew from friendship, laughter, and the magic of timing, Ashley and Mateo are ready to begin the next chapter of their story—not just as neighbors or friends, but as husband and wife. And so, the real fairytale begins.