We met on a dating app called Hinge. After we matched, we started talking with each other every day until, a couple of weeks later, Brian asked me to go on a date with him. Our first date happened in an Irish pub called McShane's in Port Chester on a cold winter day before Christmas. Both of us were nervous, but by the end of the day, we knew we wanted to meet again. After many more dates and because of misunderstandings, we decided that it was best not to see each other anymore—I was studying in the US and, at the time, we lived an hour away from each other. We didn't see each other for months but it seems it was meant to be as we crossed each other's paths one more time. This time, we both knew that we did not want to be apart anymore and were ready for the next step.

It was May of 2023 when Brian told me that his mom wanted to go to the New York Botanical Garden, and I was excited because it was where we went with our parents in December of the previous year when my parents were visiting from Brazil. It was a beautiful day and there was so much to see. At one point, we went to the Rose Garden, and I remember Brian getting quiet and his hand starting to sweat. After walking for a while, he took me to the arch full of roses in the middle of the garden. His mom was filming with his dad close behind. He looked at me, and I knew what he was going to ask. He got down on one knee and, among some other things, asked me, "Will you marry me?" I said, "YES, I will," right away and gave him my left hand. It was one of the most special moments in our lives. We’re so excited to celebrate this next chapter in our lives with you. See you in November!