Our story is like no other. We were babies having a baby, learning about life and love all in a crash course. We met through our best friends, Patty and Hector when I was 13 years old and Joe was 14 years old. They were going on a date and it was the classic, “I’ll take a friend and you take a friend”. We were the friends. We met at the Tívoli movie theatre, in Denver in late September, October or November of 1998. I just remember it was a little bit cold outside already. He was tall dark and handsome in his jeans and red flannel button up. I’ll never forget how he looked when we first walked up to them and he was standing next to the water fountain and didn’t make much eye contact with me at first. He was a little quiet at the start of the date, but that didn’t last long. I thought I was cool in my tight brown flannel bellbottoms. Those were in style at that time. We walked around the outside of the Tívoli so many times just to stay warm. We didn’t even watch a movie. Just walking and talking and getting to know each other. Our friends went their own way and me and Joe just talked and talked. He made me laugh so much. We made it official as boyfriend and girlfriend in February of 1999, at Skate City. Our anniversary is Valentine’s Day. Originally, we couldn’t remember what day it was that we made it official and so Joe suggested that we make our anniversary on Valentine’s Day. Yearrrrs later, I found a journal of mine and discovered that we became boyfriend and girlfriend on February 19, 1999 (my mom’s birthday) but at that point, we had already been celebrating our anniversary on Valentine’s Day so we just left it that way. Joe was my chambelán for my quinceañera in September of 2000. He was so handsome. 🤍 We got pregnant with our Princess in January of 2001 and our sunshine was born on October 20, 2001. Since our princess, Noelani Zatlia Rael was born, our lives have revolved around her. Joe and I have been patient, forgiving and loving with one another throughout our journey. Finding our way in life and supporting each other through all the ups and downs. Whether it be school, work or finances… we’ve grown so much and learned together. This life is a dance. And together, we’ve each taken our turns leading and learning with our dips and turns. We’ve put off getting married for so long because I’ve always had a vision. A vision of our wedding day. Big! Extravagant! Elegant! With everybody there. I said “after I finish college”, “when we get our finances right”, “after The Baby’s quinceañera”, “after we buy a house” etc. And now, after all of our years of patience, it’s our time. Some might say we did it backwards. Baby first, life lessons second, school, then house purchased in 2020, The Baby now in her Junior year of college. But, it’s our story and like I said, it’s one like no other. We want aaaalllllll our family and friends there. We hope that everyone can make it out to witness this most special day. It is said that being married on a full moon signifies balance, equality and unity. There will be a full moon on June 3, 2023. So here’s to us. 🥂 Still so in love…. balanced as equals and unified in this life and the next. I cannot wait to be his wife and continue our dance with one another for the rest of our days. #finally