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Abigail Maldonado

and

Braeden Echavarria

September 26, 2025

Santa Fe, NM

From Orientation to Forever

We sat down as strangers and stood up with a story.

It all started during college orientation at New Mexico State University. I was the first person to arrive in the room and picked a table near the front. Slowly, the room began to fill up, and so did my table — except for one. A group of guys came in and sat at the table next to mine, and strangely enough, no one else joined them. After we broke into different seminars, we all returned to the main room. This time, the energy had shifted — a few girls were eager to sit at my original table because of one particular guy, and suddenly I found myself without a seat. So, I turned to that quiet table from earlier — the one with the group of guys — and asked if I could join them. They welcomed me in, and just like that, something clicked. We introduced ourselves, started talking, and quickly realized we had so much in common. What began as a simple moment of musical chairs turned into a meaningful friendship… and eventually, so much more. That day wasn’t just the start of college — it was the beginning of our forever.

Where Faith Met Forever

Surrounded by love, sealed with a promise.

I always imagined he’d propose one day — but I never expected it to happen quite like this. It was a regular day at church, surrounded by the people who’ve watched me grow, guided me in faith, and loved me unconditionally — my family, friends, and church brethren. I was dressed casually in jeans and an oversized shirt, no makeup, hair a little messy — just me, completely unfiltered. I wasn’t expecting anything out of the ordinary. But that’s what made it so special. In the middle of a place that has always felt like home, he got down on one knee. My heart skipped a beat as the room quieted, and in that moment, everything felt perfectly still — like time paused just for us. There were no grand setups, no rehearsed lines, just love. Honest, pure, and full of faith. I didn’t need the fancy dress or the perfect setting. I had my person, I had my community, and I had the moment that would change everything. It was more than a proposal — it was a promise made in the most sacred place of my life. And I said yes with my whole heart.

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