Pack Your Bags!

It began with a dating app, and Carlos came across Karissa’s profile in February of 2021. He was nervous about her heavy use of filters and perceived lack of having things in common. Yet, though he doubted that such a beautiful woman as she would respond to his “like,” Carlos decided to send her a message. To his surprise, she responded! Karissa was impressed with his sweet and caring nature and his astute reference to her (now their) beloved doggie. On their third and fourth date, Carlos discovered she was actually a fun person—who else would enthusiastically engage in laser tag at The Main Event and accept (plus thoroughly enjoy) a date at a board game store? Karissa was amazed with Carlos's ability to talk with her for hours discussing whatever random topic popped into her head. Whoa! After meeting their respective families and some close friends, they continued to discover their extraordinary compatibility with one another. Neither thought they’d ever find a person that so completely accepted and fit them so well. A couple of months later, she said she loved him. About a month and a half after that, during their first couple’s vacation, he said the same. Karissa is the first woman who Carlos declared his love for—a milestone that convinced Karissa that the wait was worth it. Two or three months after that, Carlos knew. He told Karissa something that pleased her greatly, “I’m going to marry you someday, Karissa Joane Medard.” After receiving her parents’ blessing that December, Carlos put his plan in action, in his characteristically ambitious yet somewhat last minute fashion. Easter of 2022 was a milestone moment in three ways: the first meeting between the couple’s respective parents, the first time Carlos’s parents visited the Karissa’s church since childhood (New Covenant Tabernacle) in Houston, and the long-awaited proposal. The Houston Botanical Gardens served as a wonderful background to the proposal. While Karissa actually suspected the plan afoot, she nonetheless felt overwhelmed by the gesture and Carlos’s minute-long proposal speech.