Our journey started as co-workers on opposite sides of the sales floor. Neither of us knew that our soulmate was sitting across the room and it took us years to realize it. Karen had always caught my eye with her beauty and her bubbly personality, but we were like ships passing in the night as we were both in relationships with the wrong people. When those relationships ended we found comfort in each other. I asked her to spend the day with me and we have been together ever since. The day I knew I wanted to give my everything to her was when my injury happened and I was in the hospital for 45 days. For 45 days when the sun rose and the sun set, Karen was there. It was at that moment that I knew her heart was special and I wanted to share this journey we call life with nobody else but her. It was a feeling I never had before and a decision I had never even considered. I knew she was the one. She is my best friend and I simply cannot imagine life without her, nor do I want to. Ok, my turn! I’d like to say that the very first time we decided to hang out was the beginning of our love story. But, that’s not the case. We were both single but still going back and forth with our prior relationships. I’m actually really glad that that’s what happened because up until we decided that we were deserving of more, and did the inner work to heal, we couldn’t possibly be the people we are today for each other. I had moved back to Texas (momentarily) and decided to take a little 3 week vacation back to Orlando to visit friends. That little vacation turned permanent after Andrew asked me on a date. A date that took a bit to actually happen. But when it did, boy did it HAPPEN!What was supposed to be a casual date night turned into a date week and the rest is history! In such a short period of time, Andrew showed me what “if they wanted to, they would” meant. He takes care of me, he loves me, and most importantly-he values me. And I do the same for him. I am forever grateful that our paths crossed because I get to love him for the rest of my life! I can’t wait to steal your last name, mi vida!

We took a couples trip to North Carolina last year on 11.11. You can guess what I wished for early that morning! The whole drive there, Andrew was particularly quiet but I just thought he was tired from waking up so early. Little did I know that not just him but our friends were all in on what was going to happen! When we arrived at our cabin, my girlfriend told me that we should go take pictures outside because the scenery was so nice. This was strange to me because she didn’t put makeup on or freshen up, she was just ready to take photos. I went to fix myself up and she kept rushing me. Finally I came out and the three of them were sitting outside looking-odd. Then Andrew grabbed my hand and said “let’s take a picture”. I should’ve known right then and there what was happening but, La La La La La! As we were hugging for Mayara to take the photo, he grabbed my shoulders and said “before we take this, you know I love you right”. I was silently gasping! He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! I was shocked, I was ugly crying, I was asking if this was real life. A mess! But honestly, the easiest yes♥️