Johnny: I don’t remember much about playing Leslie’s Ramble at Vannatta Winery. In those early days of The Willow Snags, I can only remember the fear of forgetting a lyric or skipping to the bridge. We were new, unproven and eager to play in new venues with crowds that would be unfamiliar to us. Tunnel vision and anxiety made me retreat underneath my hair, so I surely didn’t pay attention to the audience. I should have. A week later at Two Rivers Cider in Hollywood Park, I parked my car and pondered what that night’s performance would be like. That tunnel vision again. As I got out of the car and started the walk across the street, there she was. Someone greeting me. The two of us standing awkwardly in the middle of the road. It was Mia Higgins. She recognized me from the weekend prior, being in the audience at Leslie’s Ramble. I didn’t take in that she enjoyed our music, not immediately. And I remember feeling the importance of this moment at the time, but I was too afraid to put too much stock in it. I should have. She was in a hurry, and I was sad she had to go. She got into her car and left, and I scurried to the sidewalk. That was the last time I’d see her for a while. Life got in the way, as it does. I’d see her pop up on the schedule as a performer at some place or the other, and I’d try to make it. But I’d usually come up short. Maybe if I left a little earlier… I should have. One day, a Wednesday, while at work I got a text from my cousin saying the Open Mic at Barrio Cafe is something I should turn my attention to. She said it’s been drawing an audience and great performers, specifically mentioning Mia would often play there, doing the Say It Ain’t So guitar solo on the piano. It was that night I contemplated leaving work, with over an hour left in my shift, because I had to get there… So I did. She was performing as soon as I walked in. Graceful, focused and perfect as ever. One visit to that Open Mic became several, and several became tradition. Spending time together, bonding over music and the shared life experiences. By the time we started dating, I felt that same feeling I felt at Two Rivers nearly a year prior. The almost supernatural feeling that I am exactly where I am meant to be, with who I am supposed to be with. It didn’t take long to imagine spending life with Mia. To create with her, to grow with her, and laugh with her. And so, we will.

Mia: Our connection grew as I started singing with the Willow Snags in November 2023. I was so happy that my dreams of being in a band were coming true. Lucky me, I had found my dream partner at the same time. There was a week or two in January 2024 where we went to basically every open mic in Sacramento, just to have a reason to see each other. I knew Johnny liked me a lot because he wore a mask for the two weeks leading up to my birthday party to make sure he could go. And good thing he did, because that night was so fun we didn’t want it to end. Actually, to this day we’ve never stopped hanging out. The day after my karaoke party we played a show at Old Ironsides, and our drummer’s wife asked, “So, are you two together?” and we looked at each other and declared there that yes, we were. On February 22, I proudly called Johnny my boyfriend. Our first year together was one big highlight: we went on numerous weekend trips in California, to Monterey, Half Moon Bay, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, Disneyland, and San Diego. Music remained at the core of our relationship; I wrote my first love song, about Johnny, and he picked up his bass guitar again to accompany me. Of course, we consistently played with the Willow Snags as the band grew and evolved. On our rainy camping trip in Tahoe, we decided we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. I started substitute teaching in February, and when I put Johnny as my emergency contact I asked him if I should select “fiancée” for our relationship. He said, “that’s an accurate description.” And then we got an engagement ring. For someone so talented, you might not expect Johnny to be the respectful and humble but confident person he is. I love how kind and helpful he is to my family, and I’m so grateful to have received such a warm welcome into the Mercado family. It’s special the way our paths have naturally joined: slowly, side by side, first as acquaintances, then friends, and now as life partners.