On a toasty July summer night in 2019, Jose and Mia happened to run into each other at what is now their favorite pizza spot--Rivermont Pizza--in Lynchburg, VA. Jose was out with some friends that night, acting like a goofball as usual and attempting to break it down on the dance floor at Rivermont Pizza. While Jose was "dancing" and goofing around with his buddy Micah, he caught the attention of Mia-- who had also decided to come out with her friends to see what all was going on at Rivermont Pizza that evening. Mia saw the duo in the center of the dance floor who looked to be having a competition on who could hit the ceiling the most, and she promptly decided she was going to avoid whoever these guys were. For most of the night, Jose and Mia were oblivious of each other... until it was time to pay the bill. Jose went to pay his bill and decided to ask the stranger next to him how much he should tip. That stranger happened to be Mia's close friend, Taylor, who she had gone out with that night and who also happened to be the World's Best Wingwoman that night. Jose didn't know that asking Taylor how much to tip would lead to her pulling him outside to introduce him to Mia and beginning a 3 year relationship and finding the woman he would decide to spend the rest of his life with.

After that fateful night at Rivermont Pizza, Jose wanted to get to know who this cute redhead was so he asked Mia if he could bring her Chick-fil-a before she had to go to work. Jose very quickly realized that this girl LOVED her Chick-fil-a. To this day, Mia still claims Chick-fil-a is healthy and good for you because it is the Lord's chicken. Jose and Mia spent an hour or two, sitting on her couch, eating the Lord's chicken, asking each other questions about their lives. Time flew by so quickly and the intrigue grew with each answer. Before Jose left so Mia could get ready for work, he asked Mia out for an "official" first date. A week later, Jose "took" Mia to the Virginia Safari Zoo. Mia had to drive them through the safari because Jose's car had just broken down and he had yet to learn how to drive a manual (Mia's car). Mia remembers how nervous and fidgety Jose was on that drive through the safari. Jose had a comment for everything and wouldn't stop talking. And he spent the drive through the safari showing Mia how big of a goofball he truly was. Mia was quiet, which Jose soon learned was how she was when meeting new people, but she laughed at everything Jose said. The more Jose talked, the less nervous Mia felt and the more she opened up. After the safari drive, Jose and Mia decided to take the short trip to Natural Bridge. This was where Jose first learned to always listen to Mia! Jose was ready to run down the trail to Natural Bridge without purchasing the tickets and risk it, while Mia refused to budge until two tickets were bought. Trying to make a good impression, Jose went and bought the tickets and man was he glad he did! Jose and Mia hadn't made it even 1/3 of the way down the trail before they saw a ranger escorting some teenagers back to the entrance for not having tickets. Saved from that type embarrassment, Jose vowed right there to always listen to Mia's advice. As the two made it down the trail, they talked about their lives. They were enjoying this time so much that not even the downpour that began ruined their date. To avoid getting drenched, they ran into a cave that was right off the trail. While in the cave, they spoke about their personal relationships with God which became a highlight of that date. As they made their way back to Mia's car, neither could stop the giant smiles that were plastered on their faces and both were excited for what they knew could be something special.

At this point, three years had gone by. Jose and Mia's relationship had strengthened more and more with everyday that went by. So, Jose knew in his heart that it was time to make the next step with Mia. It was time to ask Mia to become his wife. Because Jose has always been a procrastinator, he waited until two months before the actual proposal to even buy a ring! Fortunately, he did not have to make an elaborate plan to surprise Mia because she had planned a weekend birthday trip with Jose and her friends. The weekend was spent white water rafting in Asheville, NC and relaxing in the hot tub at the air bnb in the mountains. Finally, Sunday, March 20, 2022, came along. This day had been reserved to tour the Biltmore Estate. The plan was to tour the mansion and go for a wine tasting, but little did Mia know that Jose had planned to propose this day. He had secretly asked Mia's Aunt Mandy and Uncle Chad to photograph the moment it would happen and also asked their friends Angela and Jacob to help throw off any suspicion that Mia may have had. As the tour ended, every one was ready to go to the wine tasting, except for Jose. Anxiously he asked the group if they wanted to go to the gardens. As they walked there, his heart began to beat so fast. His palms were sweaty, knees weak, arms were sweaty, but there was no vomit on his sweater from his mom's spaghetti. As they approached the gardens, Jacob ran ahead to do some crowd control. At this moment, Mia knew something was up because Jose was kindly but a little forcefully guiding her to the proposal spot. He then got on one knee and began to babble nervously. As he spoke, he giggled in nervousness. Mia, staring into his eyes, nervously listened to Jose as a crowd watched what was happening. Eventually, Jose was able to say the words, "will you marry me and be my wife?" Mia took no time to say yes! Jose, still nervous, had a difficult time putting the right on the correct finger, but when he got it right, the two embraced and the crowd roared in celebration of witnessing a couple taking the next step in their relationship.