We're getting married!

Brianna and Neftali first crossed paths in 2019 during their freshman year at Ball State University. Before they officially met, Brianna had already noticed Neftali from afar in their dorm building. For Brianna, it was his curly hair and glasses that caught her attention. A week later, fate stepped in. Their mutual friend, Alex, introduced them at a college party just days before the school year officially began. For Neftali, it was Brianna’s smile and brown eyes that stood out instantly. What began as a simple introduction quickly turned into something more. About a week after initially meeting, the two realized they were in the same health class—despite having completely different majors. They started sitting together, bonding over breakfast after lectures, and spending more and more time in each other’s company. Brianna even skipped a few of her following classes to have more time with Neftali. At first, Brianna had no intention of starting a relationship. She had made it clear she wanted to focus on school and her studies. But Neftali was gently persistent—“pleasantly stubborn,” as Brianna puts it—and he knew from early on that he didn’t want anything else in the world but to be with her. Then, on October 6th, 2019, everything changed. Brianna said yes to being in a relationship, and from that day forward, their love story began to blossom. Their early days were filled with breakfast dates and a ton of midday naps together. These moments laid the foundation for a relationship that would grow stronger with every challenge and every joy. Over the years, Brianna and Neftali grew with each other. They navigated the ups and downs of college life—internships, graduation, job interviews, the struggle of finding the right jobs, and eventually moving into their first apartment together. Through it all, they supported, encouraged, and loved one another through every mistake, milestone, and success. By 2024, their love had only deepened. Wanting to expand their little family, they adopted their first dog, Bailey—a playful and adorable ball of fur who quickly became the heart of their home. With Bailey’s arrival came cozy movie nights, dog park visits, and “it’s your turn to take her out”. As the year drew to a close, conversations about the future started to feel more real. Marriage was no longer just a dream, but a natural next step. And then, on April 1st, 2025, on the beaches of Vieques, Puerto Rico, Neftali got down on one knee and asked the question that would mark the beginning of their next chapter: “Brianna, will you marry me?”