We talked for the first time on the phone the Friday after Thanksgiving 2023! We decided to meet for coffee, and Marella asked if Paul would come to Madison for our first meeting and if we hit it off she would come to Rockford for our second meeting. We met at Cargo Coffee on a Sunday morning. Paul knew in the first few minutes that there was something extra special about Marella! Paul knew that she would challenge him in all the best ways!! After 45 minutes we both knew this was the beginning of a wonderful adventure and neither of us wanted the meeting to end. But it was time for Marella to attend church. Paul asked if she really needed to go, and when she said she did, Paul asked if he could attend with her. Marella was pleasantly surprised and accepted! After church Marella was meeting her cousin and his wife for lunch. Marella asked Paul if he wanted to join them. He did! The lunch and conversation was excellent, but was over too quickly. Marella had tickets to a girls basketball game where her godson was playing in the band. Marella had an extra ticket and asked if Paul would like to go with them. Paul was in! After the game, Paul and Marella sat in his truck at a lakeside park. We talked for almost two hours! Paul couldn't contain himself, and leaned in to kiss the gorgeous Marella! That was it! We were hooked! And here we are almost two years later ready to be married!! We are so excited to have our family and friends celebrate our adventure in LOVE!!