We are getting married!

In the heart of Houston, on an ordinary Tuesday, Dara’s life took an unexpected turn. She had just finished her usual evening workout at a local gym, sweat dripping and earbuds pumping out her favorite motivational playlist when Armando approached her. He was a suave, charismatic Spaniard with warm eyes and a laugh that could make anyone feel at ease. Armando, who had moved to Houston for school, was observing Dara do her exercises incorrectly, at least according to him. Their collision was met with awkward apologies and shared laughter, the first spark of something neither could foresee. Despite the inauspicious beginning, Armando found himself looking forward to bumping into Dara again. When their paths crossed a second time, he worked up the courage to strike up a full conversation. Their chatter shifted from workouts to their backgrounds—Dara, originally from Kansas City but rooted in Dallas, and Armando, whose stories were steeped in the vibrant culture of Spain. After a couple of friendly exchanges, Armando asked Dara out. He decided on Moxie’s for their first date—a trendy spot that promised great food and a lively atmosphere. But sometimes, the stars refuse to align. The conversation, though initially easy, began to stumble over nerves and missed signals. The ambiance seemed too loud, the service slow, and an ill-timed comment turned into an awkward silence. By the end of the night, Dara’s polite smile and Armando’s sheepish goodbye were laden with disappointment. They both walked away, assuming it was a one-time spark that simply fizzled. Yet, fate had a way of orchestrating second chances. Their second date was simpler— pool at the billiards. As the sun set over the Houston skyline, Armando leaned in and asked Dara to be his girlfriend. She paused, looked into his hopeful eyes, and shook her head. “No sir,” she said strongly. But Armando, ever persistent and endlessly captivated by her, chose to stay the course. They spent the evening laughing, talking about dreams and failures, and making promises they weren’t even unaware of. Time passed, and Dara’s walls slowly crumbled. Armando’s consistent kindness and humor warmed her heart, and soon, “not yet” turned into “I can’t imagine my days without him.” Their journey was marked by late-night phone calls, weekend trips, and the merging of their families—Dara’s close-knit ties from Dallas and Kansas City with Armando’s exuberant relatives from Spain and Equatorial Guinea. Then came June 1st, 2024—Armando’s birthday. It was a day he chose to make a different kind of memory. As they stood in the dining room of a popular Houston restaurant, Armando took Dara’s hands, got on one knee, and spoke from his heart. His accent lilted, his voice trembled, but his eyes never wavered. “Dara, will you make me the happiest man in the world?” This time, Dara didn’t pause. “Yes,” she whispered, and as the cheers of their friends echoed around them, she realized that some stories, no matter how they start, are meant to be.