We're celebrating our marriage

In the bustling world of online dating, fate had a curious way of bringing Manny and Lupe together. It all started when Lupe’s best friend took it upon herself to create a dating profile for Lupe on a whim, without Lupe’s knowledge. She carefully selected three potential matches, and among them was Manny. Manny, on the other hand, had reluctantly given in to persuasion from one of his friends to try out a dating app. This friend had been having some success and believed it was high time Manny dipped his toes into the digital dating pool. As fate would have it, Manny and Lupe matched on the app. Their initial messages were filled with genuine curiosity and interest. They shared their thoughts, hopes, and dreams through countless texts, and their connection was undeniable. After weeks of virtual conversations, they decided it was time to hear each other’s voices. Late-night phone calls became a regular part of their lives, their laughter and shared stories weaving a bond that neither had experienced before. Despite their strong connection, anxiety crept in when it came time to meet in person. Twice they had set up dates, and twice they’d nervously rescheduled. They were both convinced it might never happen. However, destiny had different plans for them. On November 23, 2012, at the Starbucks on University Avenue, they finally met face to face. Nervous smiles gave way to genuine laughter, and their initial awkwardness dissolved into easy conversation. Hours passed like minutes as they lost themselves in each other’s stories and dreams. When Starbucks closed, they moved their conversation to the deserted parking lot, where they talked until the early morning hours. Their bond grew stronger with every passing day, and five years later, Manny decided it was time to take the next step. As they walked together down a familiar street, he suddenly dropped to one knee and proposed. Overjoyed and surprised, Lupe said yes, sealing their commitment to each other. Instead of a traditional wedding, they chose a spontaneous path. Lupe and Manny opted to elope at Lupe’s best friend’s apartment before her graveyard shift at the hospital she was working at. With her best friend serving as the officiant, they became Mr & Mrs Diaz. It was a beautiful beginning to their lifelong journey together. It was an unorthodox choice, but it felt right for them. Their love had always been unique, and this intimate elopement captured the essence of their relationship—filled with spontaneity, and love. And now, on the cusp of their seven-year anniversary, they are planning a religious ceremony to celebrate their love with all their loved ones. Manny and Lupe’s love story is a testament to the power of destiny and the enduring strength of love.