I grew up in the Philippines, moved to Florida, and eventually found my way to Las Vegas for college. He grew up in New Jersey and also moved to Las Vegas for school. Two completely different paths, somehow leading to the same place. Before classes even started at UNLV, we both joined a Facebook group for incoming students. From that group came our first little college friend circle, and it was during one of our lunch meet-ups that I met him for the first time. I remember thinking he was cute and outgoing—and being a shy girl, I assumed he would never go for someone like me. But he always made sure to include me in the conversation. He noticed me, made space for me, and made me feel comfortable just being myself. That was the first thing I loved about him. That’s how you know someone is a good person. Not long after, he won a pair of concert tickets and asked me to go with him. And honestly—talk about the stars lining up. I got called off work and was suddenly free, and he had torn his calf and couldn’t sell the tickets, so we both ended up going. That night—September 22, 2018—changed everything. Seven years later, we eloped. People used to tease us about how long we were together before getting engaged and married, but those seven years mattered. We had a lot of growing up to do—and we did it side by side. We both graduated college. I became a nurse. He became a teacher. We learned how to be real adults together, and we also watched each other earn our master’s degrees. There was never any rush. Our love was simple and steady. No games, no uncertainty—just a kind of love that’s solid and shows up every day. I never doubted him, and he never doubted me. And now, here we are—still choosing each other, just like we did from the very beginning.

Growing up in New Jersey, my family often talked about moving to Vegas. We had family here and would come for vacation at least once a year. But every time my parents made plans to try selling our house, the universe said no. Targeted to leave NJ in 2008, housing market crashed. Targeted to leave in 2011, Hurricane Sandy all but completely destroyed our home. So we had to stay as we were not in a position to move. 6 years later, and nearing the completion of my time at my county college. It was time to find a traditional four year university to continue my college story. I had little doubt where it would lead me to, UNLV. Difficult decision? Yes, absolutely terrifying leaving my friends and family. My dad and I made the drive across country and into the unknown. About 2 months in, I hated it. No friends, nothing to do, and a desire to go back home. But my parents said, "Everything will be ok when school starts." Immediately, things did not get better. I was still alone but at least had more reason to go out. I thought that I was not the only one feeling this way, experiencing these things, so I went on social media. I found a Facebook group for incoming UNLV students from out of state to connect. I ended up in this group chat with about 10 people and the main person would organize for the group to have lunch every day. Time passed and Bernice started to come here and there. Quiet but nice to everyone there. Our first conversation went like this: Me: Nice weather huh? Her: Yup Me: So do you like roller coasters? Her: Nope Complete train wreck of a conversation, not too far off track of how my time in Vegas. Then it got "worse." I tore my calf and couldn't work. Between our first conversation and my injury I had entered a raffle to win some concert tickets. In an ironic twist, I won the raffle, YAY. But I had other concerns, like how to pay for food. So I planned to sell them. But that fell flat too. After a few days of eating lunch together in the group, I learned that she knew some of the people performing. So, I asked her if she wanted to go though Facebook message 2 hours before the show. She said sure. I had a little bit of a long night the day before so I took a nap. I woke up from my nap at 5:30pm. The concert started at 5pm and Bernice was waiting for me already there. I rushed to the arena and met her....an hour late. But she was there and the night began, kind of. We scanned the tickets at the door and they did not work but we eventually got in. During the show we had a good time. Then over the next few weeks we got closer and closer. We became inseparable. True best friends. Casually shared our first kiss after having a laughing fit watching a movie. I guess technically, I haven't even asked her to be my girlfriend yet. But like our journey to each other, we just happened. 7.66 years later we welcome you to a celebration. Not just of us, but of all the places life can take you. All the things it can lead you through, and that there is always a destination at the end. Or in my case, a person waiting for me at the end of a hard journey.