It was the first week of their freshman year in college at UNM. They had both signed up for a country western dance class course (Juan because his advisor said it was a great place to meet girls and Jessica because she loved to dance). Everyone was a little nervous on the first day. All the guys were lined up when the instructor said to find a partner. As soon as they locked eyes they introduced themselves - not knowing they were looking at their future. Within the next few weeks they would see each other at Greek serenades (an introduction of the new fraternity and sorority members on campus). They became even more connected now knowing they were both Greek. One day Juan asked Jessica out on a date. Terrified of Juan picking her up from her house, because of all the Law & Order shows she grew up on, she insisted that she meet him at the ice skating rink. The second date was followed up by a lunch date at Saggio's for pizza. Jessica was so nervous to date she put Juan in the "friend zone". They proceeded to become really close friends, staying up all hours of the night to talk on MSN messenger. Until one summer something changed, Jessica no longer saw him as just a friend but someone she couldn't imagine her life without. They started dating in 2009 then 2012 via long distance since Juan had moved back to Carlsbad for work and Jessica had just started her Dental Hygiene program at UNM. They would spend weekends traveling back and forth to visit or surprise each other for the next two years. When Jessica graduated, Juan asked her to move to Carlsbad, Jessica said yes and the rest is history.

It was a Tuesday night and they had both just gotten home from work. Juan pulled up and said lets go watch the sunset tonight, we haven't done that in a while. Jessica agreed and grabbed the stereo, Bentley, and some wine. Juan had been saving a bottle of wine from 2014, the year they had moved in together. Juan had also picked up dinner (Taco Bell) their inside joke being “You had me at taco bell". They loaded up in the truck and set out for the perfect spot. Juan picked the base of the Sandia Tram because it was close to the ice rink where they had their first date. Juan backed the truck up to overlook the city. You could see storm clouds rolling across the city. As the sun started sinking down it started to lightly rain. It was beautiful, colors of pink and purple- even a little glimpse of a rainbow appeared for a few minutes . Soon the parking lot started clearing out after the sun sank below the horizon. Juan put on a country song and asked Jessica to dance. As they were dancing he was talking about everything they had accomplished together and all they had gone through to be together. As he spun her out and spun her back in, he dropped to one knee and asked her to marry him. She was so shocked, her eyes swelled up with tears and she said YES.... what took you so long?! Juan then pulled out a hot sauce packet from Taco Bell that said "I do"; he said he had that just in case she didn't know what to say...

We met- August 2006 Started dating- April 2009 Became besties -2010-2012 Started dating long distance 2012 Jessica moved to Carlsbad Sept 2014 Got a fur baby- Bentley Dec 2014 Bought a house in Albuquerque April 2017 Both moved to Albuquerque April/ May 2017 Got engaged August 2019