Ivan bullied me as a kid. He stole my best friend, Gary. He'd kick soccer balls at me and he'd play this “game” where he’d make me fall on my tummy to knock the wind out of me. He'd even hold a paint brush against his forehead to make fun of my new bangs. I learned to steer clear of him through high school, even though he'd still come next door to steal the attention of my best friend. In high school, I thought he was a conceited little wannabe cholo who would get my best friend into trouble. When Gary passed, I saw him again for the 1st time in a long time. We didn’t talk but I (for the 1st time) didn’t feel any negativity toward him. I felt that he'd be the only one who I could connect with when it came to losing my best friend. I saw him again about a year or 2 later at a party. This is where we ‘clicked’ but it felt weird to connect with him. The next day, he called me and we talked on the phone all night, literally! 7 hours!!! Soon after, I met his little girl, Emely. We were going to the beach and she insisted she change into a denim skirt and sequined shirt in order to match me. That day at the beach with them is what hooked me. Ivan’s heart as a father is what captured my heart. It's safe to say that if I hadn’t witnessed the amazing father he is, there might not be an ‘Ivan & Yuri’. After a while, we broke up and I fell in love with Jesus Christ! I fell out of a bad break-up into the best relationship with Jesus ever! I know that if Ivan and I hadn’t broken up, I wouldn’t be in love with Jesus, Ivan wouldn’t have been there for Mayra as much as he was in the last years of her life, and I wouldn’t have my mini me, Bella! We spoke again when a mutual friend of ours invited him to our church. we reconnected. Our love story has taught me so many lessons. God’s timing is perfect! I am living proof that if you love something, set it free; if it comes back, then it is truly yours. So happy for my Feo, my Papas, my Baby Daddy, and my soon-to-be Husband.

I DID NOT BULLY HER! She just didn't like what I called fun. She didn't like me at all because Gary had a new friend. When I would come over, she would run home. She did not want to play with us. In middle school and high school, she ignored me. When she would come over to Gary and Isaura's house, after high school, she didn't even notice me. When I saw her at a party a few years later, I said to my self "she has to be mine" I introduced her to Emely and their bond was Awesome! She was good to me and my kid, what could be better! After we broke up, I didn't see her again until I went to church with Dianna. We started talking, hanging out and hit it off, and shortly after, SURPRISE - Aaliyah! Not long after, came Javi, the boy I always wanted. Te Adoro Fea! Thank you for ALWAYS taking care of us, and making me so fucking happy!