Who would ever imagine they would meet their soulmate at just 11 years old? Were blessed to say that's how our love story started and after 24 years, our love has only grown stronger. May of 2002 we met for the first time at his sister’s baby shower, I remember walking through the door and we instantly locked eyes, at that moment we both knew it was something special. From that point on, we spent most of our time talking on the phone since we always lived cities away from each other. I remember us calling any chance we got, even if was just to say I love you. We would always sneak around to see each other no matter the consequences. It was always worth it! We took every chance we got! Not to mention the amount of phone bills we would rack up because we lived in different cities (when Vallejo was considered long distance lol). Being so young, everybody would try to keep us apart but we were inseparable! Fast forward to 2010, we had our first baby boy together, Giovanni. In 2016 we welcomed our daughter, Penelope. Gabe planned our first trip together to Las Vegas in July of 2019 where he proposed to me on the gondola ride as a surprise! It was such a special moment for us as we’ve come so far and fought so hard to be where we are today. We purchased our first home together in November of 2020, the best part being, we got to see it get built from the ground up! After many years and many losses, in August of 2023 we welcomed our rainbow baby, Valentino! Our family was complete! Now here we are planning a wedding after 24 years of being together! We truly appreciate all your love and support over the past 24 years and are so grateful to give you all a weekend of fun, good food, dancing and drinks- which hopefully none of us will ever forget. With love, Mercedes and Gabriel