Juju and I first met at the Cookie Cookery in the Santa Maria mall. We were serving our duty as wing men for both of our best friends. Because our two best friends were dating, we began spending a lot of time together. Our favorite memories include being stopped by the cops for going into a park after sunset, riding in the jeep, watching each others games and practices from across the fields at Righetti and going to blenders after every final. We started dating on April 7th, 2012 and the rest is history.

Last Christmas Juju planned a trip to Fort Collins, Colorado to visit some friends and road trip back to California. When going through security at LAX, Juju and I were chosen for a random search by TSA. We were separated and all of our belongings were searched. After I was cleared, I walked over to Juju who quickly closed his backpack, which I thought was strange. Little did I know, that backpack was carrying precious cargo. While in Colorado, it unexpectedly snowed and temperatures dropped to 5 degrees, but Juju and Jake were convinced we were going to take a SHORT hike to a beautiful lookout point. They assured me it was very short and totally worth the views. In reality, it was a two mile hike with 2000 feet elevation and a 30 foot rock wall at the very top. In eleven degree weather, I made the trek, but the boys heard it the entire way up. Several times I threatened to turn back, but they convinced me “we are almost there, one more switchback.” When we got to the top, my hair had literally turned into icicles and I was not happy as that hike was far from short and easy. I would soon find out that it was all worth it. After climbing the 30 foot rock wall (and complaining the entire way up) I was met with extremely beautiful views. Juju and I were taking a picture at the very top point of the mountain and when I turned around he was on one knee asking me to be his wife. I was overjoyed with excitement, as was he! So much so that when he attempted to take the ring out of the box to put on my finger, he almost lost it in the cracks of the mountain. This is the picture of Juju proposing to me at the very top of a mountain in Fort Collins, Colorado. I assure you the hike down was one thousand times better as I was smiling from ear to ear rushing down to tell all of my friends! At the end of August, I will marry my best friend and continue this journey called life with my best friend by my side!