I first knew of Zach when we were in elementary school— kindergarten to be exact. He was in Ms. Ward's class, and word travelled fast to my class that he was a bad kid! On any given day, he was flipping tables or having a tantrum, so I made a mental note to stay away from him. I went to a different elementary school in 4th grade, and didn't see him again until we had a class together our freshman year of high school. By this point, Zach's temper had calmed down a little and I remember he had a buzz cut. He would also wear cutoff shirts and a specific green Nike shirt with a red check on it. I think he wore that shirt every week. I ended up sitting in front of him for that year and told my best friend at the time: "He's cute but he's dumb." Zach and I never spoke that ENTIRE year, and he doesn't remember me from that class. Probably because my hair was super short and he was busy being loud with all his friends! Throughout high school, I worked at HEB and decided to transfer to a closer store after graduating. I started meeting new coworkers, but there was one blondie with a super cool 90's boy band haircut who stood out to me— who other than Zach, who was still cute and not dumb. A few months later of saying hi to each other and small talk in passing, he caught me in self checkout while he was shopping and asked me for my number. Best shift ever!

If we take a look back in time through our yearbooks, you will find that Daniella and I went to the same elementary for quite a few years. An even crazier twist is that we were even neighbors at one point for 10 years, but never knew it. Unfortunately, I never talked to her, so I don't remember much, other than the time we won the bike rodeo in 1st grade! Fast forward to high school, we had the same biology class our freshman year. However, being a very immature 15-year-old, I didn't talk to her much, but I would cause a ruckus behind her. I had also started working at HEB and now, 4 years later, she caught my eye. Her beauty radiated in the pharmacy self-checkout (lol) but I never thought I had a chance. A few months later, I finally talked to her after 19 years of us always passing by each other. One day I went to the store to pick up some groceries and she was there. I had been trying to work out how to ask for her number for a while, and once again, I didn't do it then. When I was driving home, I asked God if I should go back and ask her for it and if I should, then show me a blue Corvette. Before I even got home, He sent one driving right past me. I turned around and definitely drove the speed limit back to ask for her number. Very nervous, I asked her and she looked shocked, but had the sweetest smile as she said yes. What was even more fun, after I proposed in the garden at our church, we looked over to the parking lot and saw that a blue Corvette had just parked.

Zach and Daniella's first date had a few memorable moments: - Zach picked up Daniella at her house where Emilio (her older brother) was outside watering the front yard at 6pm for the first time ever in his life lol. - They picked up poke bowls and took them to a hiking trail to eat by one of the paths. While walking in, Zach dropped the food (he claims the bag ripped) and Daniella stood there shocked. They laughed a lot and thankfully the food was okay! - When they got to the bench to eat, Daniella learned quickly that mosquitoes love Zach and she was finally safe from them for once. They ate quickly to save Zach's legs. - Walking back to the car, they took a picture together that ended up being each other's contact picture for one another :) - Before dropping Daniella off, they decided to drive through the hills in Helotes and listen to music. "Die a Happy Man" by Thomas Rhett came on, and Zach sang it all. This was Daniella's favorite part of the date, 1. because the song is sweet and 2. because Zach is really funny when he sings and dances.

D: Zach and I knew for a long time that we wanted to get married and dated to always head towards marriage. We've been excited for so long and have had so many different ideas of what it would look like to get here. Of course, nothing has gone to plan, and I think we're better for it. I'm most excited for the mass, specifically to walk in engaged and leave married to my best friend. I'm really happy and proud of us for how far we've come and who we're becoming together, and excited for all the ways we're preparing for our future. But most of all, I'm excited to never have to say "bye" to each other at the end of the evening anymore. Z: I am most excited about coming home to my best friend, to spend my evenings, mornings, and weekends with her. I am looking forward to continuing to lead her throughout our daily lives and encouraging her to see what an amazing and strong woman she is. I look forward to always serving her for the rest of my life, to provide for her, protect her, and give her security. And to enjoy her cooking forever. She makes a mean steak.