Fernando and Mollie met their senior year of college. It was all thanks to Fernando's cousin, David, dating one of Mollie's studio friends, Luiza. Luiza gave Fernando some insider information about how much Mollie liked him. The second time Fernando and Mollie were hanging out, Fernando asked Mollie for her phone number. Fernando texted Mollie the next day asking if she would like to get lunch with him next Friday afternoon. Mollie eagerly agreed. Fernando proceeded to not speak to Mollie for four straight days. Mollie was extremely confused and thought maybe this guy didn't like her as much as she originally thought, but little did she know, Fernando was playing his cards. Mollie met Fernando at Arsega's in Fayetteville for lunch on September 9th, 2016 and Fernando, as always, was late. They sat and talked about anything and everything for four hours straight. They lost track of time...so much so that Mollie almost got a ticket on her car (thank you Fayetteville parking and transit). Ever since that first date, they have talked every single day. A few months later Mollie asked Fernando why he ignored her for those first few days before their first official date. He responded, "I wanted to get to know you in person and not over a screen". And that was the first moment Mollie knew Fernando was the guy she wanted to spend the rest of her life getting to know.

Mollie and Fernando went on a Caribbean cruise for a much-needed vacation. On the second night, they went out to the front of the boat just before their first formal dinner of the cruise. There was nothing to see but the endless blue ocean around them and the setting sun. They stood there enjoying the crisp warm ocean breeze. Fernando was telling Mollie how his love for her was as endless as the ocean as true love has no ends or boundaries. Suddenly, Fernando got down on one knee and asked Mollie to spend the rest of her life with him. Mollie proceeded to cry and hug him as tight as she could. About two minutes later, Fernando reminded Mollie that she had never actually said yes! In the moment, the overwhelming surprise had driven Mollie to tears and a tight hug...yes was the last thing to cross her mind because she already knew the answer. Mollie quickly nodded and looked him in the eyes and said, "Of course I would love to spend the rest of my life with you!" Fernando opened that precious little box again and put the ring on her third finger of her left hand. After the moment, they thought they were alone but when they looked up, they could see the captain and his crew waving at them from the captain's bridge. A smile on their face revealed a quiet "Congratulations!" from behind the glass. A few seconds later, they looked out into the ocean and saw hundreds of dolphins jumping out of the water as if they were doing a victory dance. It was truly a sight to see and maybe one of the greatest coincidences for the happy couple to date. It will be a day to remember forever.