E & M

July 2011 The Summer after High School, Marina and Esteban were headed to orientation for their first year of college at Florida International University - little did they know, they were about to make a connection that would last a lifetime. During a break, Esteban spotted a tall, tan and lovely woman sitting in the gazebo. They found themselves irresistibly drawn to each other, so much so that they decided to skip the remaining orientation activities, opting instead to explore this newfound connection. On the second day, amidst the excitement of a new beginning, Marina and Esteban shared their first kiss. November 2011 College is now in full swing, the two stayed in contact as friends while their college identities took shape. It was on a crisp winter night at the “renowned” Reno's that a pivotal moment in their journey unfolded. Esteban, after a night of engaging in conversations with Marina, found himself standing at the thereshold of a decision that would change their lives forever. After walking out with friends, he abruptly turned around to find Marina and asked “Will you be my girlfriend”. Romantic... Right? Way to go Esteban! July 2012 Their bond grew stronger with each passing day, and soon, Marina and Esteban became inseparable. Every day was an adventure together, and nearly every night saw them sneaking into each other's parents' houses, their love a beautiful secret they couldn't keep. They became the perfect companions, attending every event hand in hand, and even reshaping their friend groups to make space for their deep connection. In a playful twist of fate, they became known as "Mesteban” (Thanks, Anthony - jokes on you, we’re getting married now). As is often the case with the intensity of young passion, there were moments of both exhilarating highs and challenging lows. Recognizing the need to take a step back, they made the decision to take a break, understanding deep down that this chapter was not the end of their story. “If you love something so much let it go, for if it comes back it was meant to be” Albert Schweitzer

July 2015 The Summer before the last semester of college, Esteban was living in Madrid with Julian and Santi while Marina was kicking off her career in Miami. Both were attempting to move forward, but the magnetic pull between them remained undeniable. As they reconnected, it became clear that there was only one person who could truly complete them... One fateful, drunken night in Madrid, an international phone call ignited a spectacular shift in their lives, rekindling the flames that had never truly faded. When the semester began, it was as if the clock had turned back to 2011. Once again, they were inseparable, stealing moments in the familiar surroundings of their parents' houses, enjoying late-night sushi adventures, and cozy days with the culinary creations of Chef Fi (Marina’s brother). August 2016 Esteban and Marina's careers were taking shape, with both of them immersed in the energy of Brickell, brimming with optimism for the future. They embarked on a journey together, moving into a cozy apartment at the edge of Brickell, followed by a larger one, and eventually settling into an even more spacious abode. This final space became the epicenter of their lives, a place where they joyously hosted countless epic dance parties, memorable movie nights, and cherished holiday gatherings with friends. At which point, it was clear to us... And probably all of you reading this, we made the right choice. July 2019 When Esteban received the opportunity to relocate to San Francisco for work, Marina wasted no time in making her decision. She knew she would be going with him, ready to embrace the unknown and figure it out together. And so, the two embarked on a cross-country journey, uncertain of what awaited them on the other side. For the first time in their lives, they were truly on their own, without the comfort of familiar faces or a frame of reference for their new lives. Despite the initial uncertainties, Marina and Esteban thrived, both in their love and careers. Together, they embarked on hikes through breathtaking landscapes, dined at exciting new restaurants, made new friends, and eagerly embraced the new experience. COVID (2020 - 2021) COVID presented a unique set of challenges, but Esteban and Marina saw them as an extraordinary opportunity. They split time between San Francisco and Miami (Shout out to the roomie Fausto!), until they decided to embark on a new journey. They spent the next several months living in new places like the enchanting Tahoe and the mountains of Colorado in what felt like a fairytale. As the COVID hype gradually subsided, Esteban and Marina chose to return to their roots, settling into a cozy townhouse in the Grove. Here, they would welcome their first shared love, a Border Collie named Rio (Yes, his name will be incorporated into the strongest drink at the wedding. Yes, we all will probably drink too many). December 2021 Amidst months of planning, the stage was set for an unforgettable New Year's celebration in Nicaragua, where Esteban's grandparents would honor their remarkable 50-year anniversary (wink wink). The evening unfolded with a white-themed party against the canvas of a sunset, resonating with laughter and music. Little did Marina know, there was no anniversary. Unbeknownst to her, Fernando, Marina's father, had been flown in and was hidden in a room for two days. Sabrina, Esteban's mother, had carefully stitched a ring into her sweatpants, to get through customs with no incidents. A Zoom call had been arranged, gathering 40+ family members from both sides, eager to watch a proposal. As the sun began to set, the guest of honor, Marina, was escorted to the front by the one and only Gran Titi. In a moment of sweet bewilderment, she turned around to find Esteban, down on one knee, with the words she had longed to hear: “Will you marry me and make me the happiest man in the world?”