I was new to San Antonio and so was he. The first day of our freshman year at Johnson High School, I walked in and saw that my assigned seat was right in front of a really cute guy. I could already tell that this was going to be the BEST Math class ever! Matthew’s last name came right after mine alphabetically so this is what had determined our seating arrangement. It’s incredible to think how something so simple would change our lives forever and eventually lead us to sharing the same last name! That year we became best friends and I continuously found excuses to turn around and talk to him in the class. I must say that we definitely did not make Mrs. Kiniry’s job an easy one! No matter how many times she separated us and moved Matthew across the classroom, we always found our way back to each other. Later that school year, Matthew invited me to his family’s Superbowl party and we met outside of school for the very first time since knowing each other. My mom drove me over to their house and walked me to the door to introduce herself. She had heard a lot about “my friend from Math class” so when Matthew came to the door she understood right away that our friendship was only the beginning of something much greater. Later on, I found out that his dad had also felt a deeper connection between Matthew and I. He saw a future between us even though we were just friends and completely oblivious to anything more. Ironically enough, parents do know best because less than a month later, 15 year old Matthew formally requested permission from my mom and dad to ask me out and I became his girlfriend! The last six years have brought us even closer together and on November 5th, 2022 we will begin the next chapter of our lives… not only as best friends but as husband and wife!

When Bianca and I met we were only 14 years old and we had both just moved to San Antonio. We ended up having the same math class and she sat right in front of me. We clicked right away and became friends almost immediately. Looking back now, she was one of the very few people that I could easily talk to about anything so she quickly became my best friend. Our friendship was great but as the end of that school year approached, I realized that I cared for her in a way that was much more serious. I no longer wanted to be in the friend zone with her. I come from a very traditional family where I was taught to always show the upmost respect for adults, especially when they are the parents of my crush. Wanting to not waste time and with my dad’s advice, I went over to her house and formally asked her parents for their permission to date their daughter. I was so relieved when they said yes! Since we first met, I’ve always known that there was something special between Bianca and I and that’s the reason why I’ve never been able to imagine my life without her in it. I am so excited for the moment where i can finally call her my wife!

Long-distance relationships make everything a little more difficult but when there is love, adjustments are happily made. While residing in two different cities, Matthew and I learned to celebrate holidays and birthdays either early or late. Valentine’s Day of 2020 was no different. We decided that I would visit Matthew that weekend since there were a few places in Houston that we both really wanted to try. The Houston Aquarium Restaurant did not disappoint. It was not only beautiful and peaceful but that entire evening felt as if we were dining at the bottom of the ocean blue while being surrounded by the colorful fish and tropical sea life. Dinner was excellent but the best came with my favorite dessert. I was already incredibly excited about the crème brulee but when Matthew started to profess his love for me, that evening took a different turn and became even more meaningful. I was enchanted by his loving words and then, everything around us vanished in the background as he got down on one knee and asked that I marry him. I immediately jumped up and screamed “YES!” with excitement. The entire restaurant joined our celebration by smiling and clapping for us. He then slipped the most beautiful ring on my finger and that moment our engagement was sealed! From the depths of the ocean, I felt nothing but pure joy. Before walking outside and finding the surprise of our families waiting for us; I took one last spoonful of dessert and fully savored how much sweeter life just got for us!