It was August 2, 2013. Friends had invited Emily out to dinner to hear some jazz music down at the Jersey shore. That evening, Mauricio was performing with his jazz trio, Bossa Brasil. The American and the Brazilian exchanged glances and spoke briefly at the break, after which Mauricio played the jazz standard "Emily." A few nights later, friends got the two to exchange phone numbers. Long conversations ensued, many common interests were discovered (love of music, the outdoors, travel, and family) and a friendship quickly blossomed into a love affair. It goes without saying that each had an intense attraction to the other from the very beginning!

A year later, Emily introduced Mauricio to her children, Sofie and Jan. They immediately took to one another as all three are kind, fun loving, and creative. On Emily's birthday, February 28, 2016, Mauricio proposed. Emily, of course, say "Yes!" Our families have a mutual adoration for one another and with their support, we cannot wait to begin our married life together. As for that restaurant in Asbury Park, did we mention that it's named "Moonstruck?" Mauricio still plays there and if you stop by on a summer's eve after a day at the beach, you might find our family there too, listening to Mauricio's beautiful music and counting our blessings.