On July 2, 2016, Kevin arrived at a house party in south Sacramento. As he parked, he looked up and saw Marilyn skipping down the street. She looked carefree, bright, and mesmerizing. She walked into the same party, and in that moment Kevin thought, “Her. I'm going to talk to her tonight.” An hour later, their friend Jesse introduced them. Kevin felt his chance had arrived. He dragged a stool across the floor and placed it right beside her, ready to start a conversation. But within minutes Marilyn said, “I'll be right back,” disappeared into the crowd, and never returned. She completely forgot about him, and Kevin eventually gave up. Toward the end of the night, as he was leaving, he saw her sitting alone and decided to try one last time. With a playful smile he said, “So this is where you've been hiding from me all night.” She smiled and tapped the seat next to her and said, “Well, why don't you come sit next to me then.” Without hesitation, Kevin pivoted and practically power walked over. Marilyn immediately thought, “Oh...This guy is really into me.” They talked for a while and then Kevin offered her a ride home. In the car, Marilyn looked over and saw him smiling with quiet excitement and a twinkle in his eye. As the street lamp lit up half of his face, Marilyn thought, “Huh, he's actually kind of cute.” Before dropping her off, they stopped at another friend’s gathering and danced their first duranguense song together. Afterward around 2am, he helped her grocery shop, carrying bags with a kindness that surprised her. He dropped her off, waved goodbye, and watched her go inside. It was then he realized he forgot to ask for her number. Eventually he asked Jesse for her number. They talked, spent time together, and shared their first kiss two weeks later. Kevin was all in. Marilyn was cautious, even telling him once, “I'm walking away before I fall in love with you.” But over time she opened her heart, and after five months they officially became a couple. Their love grew through 2017, but both carried wounds and fears from the past. Tension built, and by the end of September they separated. It was painful for both. Marilyn chose to completely let go, heal, and trust God. Kevin realized how much he still needed to heal. Eventually, he realized he'd lost the girl he truly loved and desired to marry. Months passed in silence. Then, in April 2018, they ran into each other at a ska show at Blue Lamp. The moment Kevin saw her, he beelined straight to her and pulled her into a long embrace in the middle of the dance floor. It was clear the love was still there. From that night, they began again, slowly rebuilding with patience and grace. They traveled to Arizona, Nevada, New York, Hawaii, and around CA and supported each other through major life decisions. Marilyn began a new job and Kevin joined the National Guard. During six months of long distance during military training, they wrote handwritten letters that deepened their love. As they transitioned and continued to share life, their communication grew stronger, faith grew deeper, and their love became unshakeable. In 2024, they began looking for a home, and in January 2025 they closed on their first house. During this time Marilyn also grew closer to Kevin’s beautiful kids, forming her own relationship with them. Then, in November 2025, on a clear sunny day in Sausalito, overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, Kevin proposed. It was absolutely perfect! They believe their story has been carried by God’s grace, purpose, and perfect timing from the very beginning. Their love has been tested, strengthened, and refined like gold in fire. Nine years later, they stand on a solid foundation built on faith, forgiveness, trust, growth, laughter, selflessness, and choosing each other above all else. Now, they look forward to standing before God, surrounded by the people they love, and becoming one. Their union has been a long time coming, and the best is still yet to come.