“We’re getting married!”

Berto and I met at Reflex Jiu-Jitsu in Danville, PA—on the mats, of all places. At first, I truly thought it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. We started hanging out, staying up all night talking about our lives, sharing stories, laughing until it was way too late to pretend we weren’t tired. At one point, he asked if he could kiss me—and I said, “No thanks.” I fully, confidently friend-zoned him… or so he thought. But as the days passed, something shifted. I started to see who he really was—respectful, honest, funny, and deeply caring. Without even planning it, my love grew. One day, I realized I couldn’t keep it in anymore, and I told him I loved him. And just like that, the rest was history. One of our first big moments together was traveling to our first jiu-jitsu competition—just the two of us. We cheered each other on, pushed each other, and walked away with medals. From there, we kept building: traveling, eating amazing food, and creating a life full of shared experiences. In 2024, we traveled to El Salvador, where I met his extended family for the first time. The country was breathtaking—simple, beautiful, almost untouched. I mentioned wanting to see the sunrise, not thinking much of it. But the next morning, he woke me up at 5 a.m. to make it happen. As the sun began to rise over Playa El Zonte, he suggested we take a picture. In that moment—surrounded by ocean, light, and stillness—he got down on one knee and proposed. It was perfect. Quiet, meaningful, unforgettable. Since then, we’ve continued to grow together—earning promotions, buying our first home, and taking on life as a team. From jiu-jitsu mats to sunrise proposals, our story has always been about showing up, choosing each other, and building something real—together.