We met for the very first time through our mutual friend, Joel, sometime in 2010? One day, Joel decided to invite both of us to go to the gym (LA Fitness) with him. At the gym, Joel introduced us and it was nothing but a “hola, mucho gusto” *kiss on cheek* greeting and a run around the track together. It was nothing serious or special but it was the very first time we met. Ever since then, Joel would keep inviting us (among other mutual friends) to hang out and so our friendship grew. We remained friends for years, and it wasn’t until June of 2014 when Gian started making the first steps. We accidentally flew to Peru on the same dates, and Gian asked me to get together to hang out. It was weird seeing each other in a different place other than Ohio, but it was fun. We went to a bar for drinks but that didn’t work out, so instead we went dancing to a club on the evening of July 4, and that’s when Gian gave me my first kiss. Thanks to Facebook, we know our first kiss was on July 5, 2014 (after midnight)!

Upon returning to Cincinnati, my cousin, Cristi, had a Latin tournament going on at the time, and was asking for girls to join her team and so I did. I was already feeling embarrassed and shy about the kiss Gian gave me in Peru, so I was trying to avoid him when we got back to Ohio. However, little did I know that Gian was (is) a big soccer fan and player, so he would be highly involved in all the soccer tournaments in the summer (and yearlong). It was inevitable, we spent so much time playing soccer that summer that our friendship turned into something bigger. Gian was really trying; he would offer me private soccer lessons with him because I was obviously very bad at it (never played soccer in my life) so it was a great move on him lol (and it worked!). Until one day (sometime in early August), he finally asked me out on our first official date to the movies to watch “The Purge” (I know, so romantic right?), and then our first lunch together was at PF Chang’s, until he officially asked me to be his girlfriend on the night of September 4th, 2014, but he didn’t ask until past midnight that night so we always argue that we first started dating between Sept. 4th or 5th, but in reality it would be September 5, 2014 lol. One thing he did say that night after he asked me (the phrase that got stuck with me forever) is, "I don't want to lose the chance of being with you, that is why I'm asking you to be my girlfriend sooner". And well the rest is history!

I’m VERY family-oriented and I remember telling Gian that if he ever proposed, that I would’ve liked it to be in front of my family because it would've meant so much for me to have them present during that special moment of my life, and so it happened. Both of our families were present, and it was magical! Me, Gian and our dogs made the 17 hour roadtrip to Cincinnati for thanksgiving day. And on the day of the proposal (thanksgiving day) the entire family was having dinner at Gian’s parents’ house. Gian’s behavior was unsual that night. I later found out that he was very nervous and kept leaving the table to go outside for fresh air. When Gian came back to the table - again, this time he came back prepared to give a speech. I started to become nervous, there was no reason for him to give a speech, he never did! He stood up in front of our families, rang the table bell to get everyone’s attention and said something like this: “I want to thank everyone for being here tonight, it really means a lot to Gabby and me to have you present during this time, I know me and Gabby have been together for a very long time and well, I think we have come to a point in our lives where we have to make an important step. *turns his head and looks over at me* I love you so much, Gabriela, and I want you to know that I’m ready, and I want to ask you, please stand up, *gets on his knees* I want to ask you, if you would like to marry me *shows ring in a box*”. And well of course, I said yes! He put the ring on my finger, and we hugged, we cried, we laughed, and our love felt different. It felt better and pure. I’m tearing up as I’m writing this. What a memorable time! We’re so excited for this new journey of our lives together; we know it’ll not be easy but putting God first, we know we’ll thrive in a healthy and successful marriage until our very last days. We cannot wait to become husband and wife, but most importantly we can’t wait to have YOU celebrate this important day with us!