We don't remember exactly the very first moment we met. We know that is was sometime in the spring of 2016 while Dorithy was in her senior year at the "I AM" School. Rafael came to serve at the springs for the summer and to visit his Aunt Claudia. During this time we did many activities together with the school and our friends. At first Dorithy was too shy to talk to Rafael and so they were just friends and had a great time doing things together with their friends throughout the summer in Mount Shasta. After that summer they became good friends, texted occasionally, and saw each other during the year.

Rafa: During Dorithy's graduation speech on the Power of Love, something in me moved pretty strongly, and then, it happened, it was like love at first speech. I kept my feelings from everyone but my cousin Gloria. Dorithy was just graduating from high school at the time and I was really focused on my service at the springs. I decided to set those feelings aside. During the Conclaves (summer of 2016) Dorithy, our friends, and I spent a lot of time together exploring places around Mount Shasta. At that time I knew 100% I liked her more than a friend but fearing I would not have a chance with her, I remained quiet. Dorithy: In Shasta I got to know Rafa more. We all had a great time that summer and spent every second we could doing something fun. I began to have feelings for him but didn't think he liked me. I kept asking Gloria and Emily if they thought that Rafa even liked me as a friend but they reassured me that he did. Over the years Rafa has texted me and we have kept in touch with each other. He always been there to chat any time. In August 2020 we went camping with our friends to Yellowstone. Emily and Gloria had known that Rafa liked Dorithy for a long time now. Dorithy was still completely oblivious. Before the camping trip Rafa asked Dorithy if she wanted to have dinner as friends to "get to know each other better". Rafa: I asked Dorithy to a friends date, she accepted, but during the trip she was pretty quiet. One evening we needed some groceries so we drove together and had some time alone In the car. We talked about our feelings for each other and from then our relationship grew. Dorithy: When Rafa asked me on the friends date I was really nervous but excited. The date went really well and we ended up going to dinner and walking around ISU looking at the stars and talking. We both knew we really liked each other but didn't want to start a long distance relationship. We decided to be friends but that lasted 1 week.

Rafael proposed to Dorithy on the first day of Spring in 2021, Emily, Gloria & Adolfo helped setting things up for a lovely hike and picnic to the place where the couple had their fist date. Even Jessica and Dorithy's parents helped to make sure Dorithy was distracted and unaware of Rafa coming to visit days before the proposal. From events like having the engagement rings magically ready just 1 day before the proposal, (both of them) wooden pallets to make a table, fresh flowers and Dorithy's favorite food picked up while she was at work, everything happened perfectly for that day. To surprise Rafa, Dorithy also proposed at the same time. Gloria and her had an agreement that when the day would come, Gloria would keep Rafa's ring and hide it at the proposal site. Gloria just had to suddenly let Dorithy know where it was. That day she did by texting her "what you need is under the table, on the corner" referring to the ring made for Rafael so she could propose too. Oh what a fun and exciting day it was, Rafael running to pick up the ring, flowers, and food and the people helping him having a food party in Adolfo's Truck before the big event.