Next Chapter: Our Wedding

Our first encounter will always be the most random memory we have. We both attended the San Antonio Community College, and at the time, all clubs were gathering outside to try and recruit new members. Santana sat at the “Asian Pop Society” table. Emily looked at the booth, then Santana stretched out his arm with a flyer and said “you should join.” Emily joined the club and after some time, developed a platonic crush on Santana.

We’ve known each other for over a decade, we’ve been friends for just as long, we went our separate ways but found our way back in the end. Our first date consisted of the funkiest Hipster Mexican Chinese at a restaurant in the St. Mary’s strip, where their rice cake fried rice looked more like paella. We talked, we laughed, we judged the environment, and when we were done we relocated. We went to a coffee shop by the Riverwalk and ordered a tray of S’mores and hot chocolates. S’mores have been our thing since the beginning, and our relationship is very similar to a S’more… we do great things together, but we do just as fine on our own too.

We went on a date to the Lights Festival for one of our early dates; where we enjoyed the carnival, the lights, and the food. We got on a few rides and walked around in the cold weather. We got on the Ferris wheel for a fun break and because Emily said they liked being in them. When we made it to the top, they stopped the ride and Santana asked “Can I kiss you?” This threw Emily off guard, because no one’s ever asked for permission before. Not knowing how to react, Emily said “…no… I’m sorry.” Emily was surprised and very shy about the situation, but Santana took it in stride and said “It’s okay, that’s why I asked.” The response was very sweet and a breath of fresh air. Even after this, it didn’t ruin the mood. We continued our date and laughed for a bit longer.

We made it official in January 15th, 2018. Our first date as a couple was the next day at a wedding. We attended the wedding of mutual friends the day after. Santana picked up Emily because her car was frozen to the ground. The wedding was a blast!

Patience is a virtue, and Santana was very patient with Emily in the early stages of the relationship. We had an impromptu date at IHOP at the Forum. We met and talked about the past and the future. Emily talked about their past experiences and the reasons for why they avoided certain things, Santana listened. Emily explained they haven’t known a healthy relationship where they are not being coerced into something and they are given the space and time needed, Santana listened. When Emily was done talking, Santana shared that he understood why Emily did the things they did, and they were not going anywhere because he could see a future together. We shared our first kiss at the IHOP’s parking lot.

Loss is inevitable, but we never went through it alone. Emily lost her Tio Raul in April and her best friend Susy in June in 2020. Emily lost her Tio Mario in May 2021. Santana lost his grandmother “Bingo” in February 2022. Santana lost his childhood dog Lexi in 2023. Emily lost her Tia Mary in April 2024. We have been there for each other through every tear.

We have known we wanted to take this step, it was just a question of “when?” We had been looking for a house since June 2024 after being told that our rental home was in the process of being placed on the market. We looked at too many houses but eventually found our home. We signed papers for 2 hours, but we were finally home owners! We were given the keys to our new home and as we joked and poked fun at each other for being “common law married,” Santana pulled out the keys to our new home with an engagement ring looped in it and said “Will you marry me?”