It was 2013 when Cynthia and Gerry first crossed paths at UC Riverside. Their connection remained friendly but distant, only tied loosely by a mutual friend. Years passed, and in 2018, that same friend invited Cynthia to a send-off party for Gerry, who was preparing to leave for Marine Corps Officer Candidate School. It was a night of celebration and goodbyes, not the kind of evening where anyone would expect a love story to take root. Fast forward to 2021, when Gerry, now back from overseas, reached out to Cynthia with a simple message asking her if she wanted to grab dinner. At first, Cynthia let the message sit unread. But on the day Gerry was due to arrive, she found herself typing a response. Neither of them knew it then, but that small, seemingly insignificant decision would set the stage for something extraordinary. Three and a half years of laughter and adventures later, Gerry knew it was time. On Christmas Eve 2024, amidst the twinkling lights and warmth of the holiday season, he asked Cynthia the question that would forever change their lives. Surrounded by loved ones, they celebrated not just their engagement, but the beginning of forever.