Our story began when my high school, Wilmot Union, and John’s high school, Golden Sierra, happened to join the same school tour to Costa Rica. For ten unforgettable days, we shared an incredible adventure filled with laughter, endless conversations, dancing, and even a few sweet kisses. At the end of the trip, we took what would become our first-ever picture together (you’ll find it in the gallery). We exchanged numbers, not really imagining what the future might hold. But as life has a way of doing, everything fell into place. Just two months later, on May 1st, we made it official. And the rest, as they say, is history.

From the moment we made it official, we were inseparable. Whether it was texting, calling, or Skyping (yes, Skype was the thing back then), we found every way to stay connected despite the distance. During high school, we worked hard to save up for plane tickets so we could visit each other as often as possible, making every trip feel like an adventure. We were lucky enough to attend each other’s junior and senior proms, as well as homecomings, creating some of our favorite memories together. We celebrated countless birthdays, shared holidays, and were even fortunate enough to join each other on family vacations. By the time we graduated high school, we had already been dating for over two years—and we were just getting started!

When I decided to attend the University of South Alabama to escape the cold, John didn’t hesitate—he said he’d come too. For the next 3 ½ years, we threw ourselves into college life and made some amazing memories. John joined SAE, I joined KD, and we worked hard in school while also enjoying everything college had to offer. Along the way, we made some lifelong friends who became like family, sharing in all the fun and challenges college life brought. COVID definitely threw a wrench into things, but we made the best of it. In 2020, we adopted Genie, our pet, who quickly became a huge part of our lives. By that point, we had already been together for over five years, building a life full of unforgettable moments.

Over the next 18 months, we both pursued our master’s degrees to further our education, which meant we were back to long-distance. It wasn’t easy, but we knew it was a step toward our future. Despite the distance, we stayed connected and supported each other every step of the way, making the most of our time apart until we could be together again.

At last, we were together again! I made the difficult decision to leave home and pursue this love, so I moved to California. It wasn’t an easy choice, but it was more than worth the wait. Together, John and I had countless adventures, exploring new places and creating memories that would last a lifetime. Eventually, we took the next step and moved into our own place with Genie, building a home full of love and excitement for the future.

We returned to Costa Rica, where it all began, and took a road trip along the western coast. One day stood out as something truly special. We started with a relaxing beach morning, went for a walk along the shore, enjoyed great food, and took in some of the most stunning views. That evening, we ended up on the beach in Tamarindo. The full moon lit up the night, and the water was warm as we walked along the shore. It was so bright you could see everything as clearly as if it were daytime. Then, under that moonlight, John got down on one knee and proposed. The night was magical, our hearts were full, and it was truly the perfect way to begin the next chapter of our story.

By May 1st, we will have been together for nine amazing years. It’s been an unforgettable journey—full of love, growth, and countless memories that have shaped who we are. We are so grateful to have such incredible family and friends by our side, supporting us every step of the way. We can’t wait to celebrate the start of this next chapter with all of you!