We're Getting Married!

Gavin and Maria met in 2017 at a mutual friend's St. Patrick's Day party in Petaluma, California. Maria had deleted all her dating apps just minutes before, determined to enjoy the party with her friends and to pay men no mind. But then Gavin walked through the door, changing everything. As they locked eyes they both felt an instant attraction from across the room. Eventually Gavin joined the smaller group Maria was in, and she noticed that while he wasn't talking much, he was laughing extra hard at all her jokes. The party migrated to downtown Petaluma where Gavin made sure he sat next to Maria at Brewster's Beer Garden. The icebreaker: Gavin pointed to Maria's wrist and asked, "Cool Fitbit—do you like it?" A conversation ensued, their senses of humor clicked, and Maria made sure Gavin didn't leave without her phone number. After two months of flirting and seeing each other at other events with friends, Gavin finally asked Maria out on their first date. They went to Golden Gate Fields to watch the horse races. They ate hot dogs, laughed, shared stories about their travels abroad, and won $15 on a horse named Moon Kitty. They've been inseparable ever since.

The Ruiz and Cahill families gathered for dinner to “celebrate Gavin’s promotion at work,” as far as Maria knew. In reality, it would be the night Gavin proposed. Maria arrived at the Cahill house not suspecting much. She had a feeling a proposal would happen soon, but she had convinced herself that tonight would just be a lovely evening celebrating Gavin’s success. As the Cahills and the Ruizes were catching up, Gavin’s mom Ann invited Maria upstairs to discuss a room she was planning on redesigning. Meanwhile, Gavin took his position in the backyard. When Maria came downstairs, Gavin’s sister Haley asked her to go out to make sure Gavin had started the grill for dinner. When Maria stepped out to the backyard she found a path lined with rose petals and candles leading to Gavin, and light-up letters that spelled out “Marry Me.” Gavin’s sister MacKenzie was at the ready with a camera to capture the whole moment. Maria walked down the path to Gavin, he got down on one knee, and Maria said “Yes!” After four and a half years together, the couple became engaged! Cheers broke out from both their families and the newly engaged couple celebrated with a fun photo shoot in the backyard. When they re-entered the home, it had been decorated with photos of the two from throughout the years, balloons, and garlands. The celebration continued with a delicious family dinner. Gavin and Maria felt so surrounded by love, and the next day they went to BottleRock music festival with their close friends, celebrating their big news.