In 2011, my cousin hired me as an intern for mCentrik despite my complete lack of professional experience, and that is where I met Jheny. She was beautiful, smart, and driven, but she made one mistake: she left her notebook at work. That was my chance and I valiantly delivered Jheny's notebook to her over lunch at the only terrible Peruvian restaurant in Miami (in a failed attempt to impress her). Despite the food, we had a great time learning about each other's interests and goals, and knew this was the beginning of something great.

On December 6, 2018, I asked Jheny to be my wife--and she said yes! I knew I wanted to marry her in May 2017, but at that point, I had all of the debt of a higher education and none of the licenses. In the coming months, we both worked hard to build a life together: I earned my license and began practicing, she entered an MBA program for working professionals, and we brought her parents to the United States. Before I knew it, her parents were comfortably residents, she was nearing graduation, and I was offered a life-changing opportunity--the iron was hot and I bought a ring. Jheny suggested we make a short vacation by extending her work trip to Guatemala and staying on Lake Atitlán; it was like she knew what was going to happen. Our hotel had a dock with a beautiful view of the lake, and I knew that was where I would propose at sunset. Then, the food poisoning hit and I vomited, for hours, well-past sunset, and late into the night. I survived, but colossally failed to carpe that diem. Once we returned home and I recovered, after a dinner I cooked with attention to culinary hygiene and safety, I asked Jheny to marry me and we decided to spend the rest of our lives together!