We met at a party in Champaign, Urbana. We were both in the same social circles but we never formally crossed paths with each other until a random night in April of 2019, just a month before graduation. At the party, Sergio approached me and asked if I wanted to dance. I said yes and we danced to some Bachata. The rest is history. We've been together ever since!

Esmeralda's Perspective: On February 16, 2023, my birthday, Sergio gave me a card like he does for every birthday but this one was a little different. In the card were flight tickets to Japan. Immediately I screamed, "I'm going to say yes!" jokingly but hopeful. I had suspicions in the weeks leading up to our trip but I didn't want to get my hopes up. Finally, the trip is here. We landed in Tokyo, Japan and we were very jet-lagged with a long day trip planned the next day to Universal Studies in Osaka, Japan. I was certain it would not happen then. The day following that, we had a day trip planned for Kyoto, Japan where we would see the Bamboo Forest. I woke up that morning looking in the mirror thinking, "if it doesn't happen today, it's not going to happen at all" (Spoiler alert, it happened). After getting ready, I noticed that Sergio was acting a bit strange. He seemed to be in a rush and of course, I took my sweet time. We missed our train (twice). Once in Kyoto, I wanted to make stops but he kept telling me "We'll do that later, let's just go to the bamboo forest." We finally make it in and he suggests asking someone to take a picture. I really didn't want to but he insisted. We finally take the picture and next thing you know, he's on one knee. Overjoyed with excitement, I said "I knew it!!" Followed by an obvious yes! Sergio's Perspective: Ever since I met Esmeralda, I knew that I wanted to be with her for a long time. It was when driving back in forth between the city and the suburbs was no longer enough that I realized I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. So I set up a time to meet with her parents and ask for their blessing without her knowing. Things went well and all that was left was surprising her with the trip and proposing. On her birthday, I surprised her with tickets to Japan. I knew that she knew why, but I still tried to play it off. I spent months preparing to ensure our trip would be smooth. I learned some Japanese on Duolingo and I booked us a trip to Kyoto, Japan where we would see the Bamboo Forest and I would soon ask the question. All was going according to plan until the day of and that's when the nerves kicked in. We missed our train a couple of times. Esmeralda could sense I was in a hurry which only made the nerves grow. My palms were sweaty and she noticed. Finally, we make it to the Bamboo forest in Kyoto, Japan, an hour and a half later than expected. I led her along a pathway to enjoy the view and then I suggested we take some pictures. Selfies first and then suggested that we ask someone to take some photos for us. Esmeralda was resistant to ask a stranger but I insisted and she agreed. So I approached our photographer (Esmeralda didn't know he was a photographer I had hired) and then it happened. I got on one knee and said the words, "Will you marry me?" Halfway around the world, we became an engaged couple <3 We're so excited to celebrate this next chapter in our lives with you. See you in Guadalajara, Mexico!