Mark and I matched on the online dating app, Bumble in August 2020. Our first date was August 16, 2020 at Brickyard Restaurant; we met for brunch and bottomless mimosas! During our first date, I (Erica) made Mark laugh so hard that he began crying :) It was a wonderful first date. A few days later, we had our second date; we went on a hike followed by lunch. Mark was trying to show off and jumped off a rock during our hike into the river, and he tried convincing me to jump with him, but I chickened out, lol. Our third date was a few days later when he invited me to his sister's place (where he was living at the time), and he cooked me an amazing salmon dinner! We ate dinner, laughed, had wine and watched a movie. As Mark walked me to my car, we said goodbye and had our first kiss! We were pretty inseparable following this; we hung out nearly everyday and enjoyed going out to eat/cooking for one another, hikes, watching movies, going swimming and enjoyed getting to know one another.

On February 25, 2022 Mark and I went on our first cruise/vacation together. We embarked on the Celebrity Constellation for a 10-day cruise to the Caribbean. This was my first cruise and Mark's 15th. To say I have found a new love of traveling would be an understatement, I get why his family loves cruising! On our third night of the cruise, 2-27-2022, Mark and I got dressed up for our first evening chic night. We enjoyed a lovely dinner and afterwards walked through one of the many lounges. Mark asked if I wanted to stop and take a look at the drink specials. I said sure and sat down as he handed me the drink menu. It was just him and I, as we were tucked away from the dance floor and live music. I noticed Mark reach into his pocket and pull out a small box. I was speechless as he walked in front of me, smiling as he got down on one knee and said, "Erica Michelle Luviano, would you do me the honor of spending the rest of your life with me." I of course began to cry and said "yes!" Mark teases me that I began planning the wedding that night, and he isn't wrong! It was nice to celebrate our engagement for the rest of the cruise. I've always known I would want a short engagement and so here we are getting married less than 6 months later! We can't wait to celebrate our special day with our friends and family!