Once upon a time, in February 2016, fate brought Martha and Jose Luis together at South Texas College's Centers for Learning Excellence (CLE). Martha, a biology major, was not tutored by Jose Luis, a math and physics tutor, instead it was her friends. Their first encounter happened during a friend’s birthday celebration at the CLE. As they enjoyed cake, Martha learned it was also Jose Luis’s birthday. In a moment of kindness, she offered to bake him a cake. Jose hesitated, not wanting to bother her, but after a bit of convincing, he agreed, and they exchanged numbers. Days later, Martha delivered a homemade s'mores cake, creating their first sweet moment together. Time passed without much contact. But one day, feeling brave, Martha approached Jose while he was reading his Physics book in the CLE. Although his responses were short and disinterested, she didn’t give up. Martha pulled up a seat beside him and Jose frustratingly slammed his book shut. Undeterred, Martha kept the conversation going. Eventually he noticed her warmth and kindness, and he was drawn to her genuine personality. A spark was ignited, and from that moment, Jose was interested in getting to know her better. Still there was not much contact, until the real turning point which came at a mutual friend’s birthday barbecue. That friend now being the best man to Jose, Gilbert, just so happened to invite both of them. Martha and Jose spent the evening laughing, dancing, and playing beer pong. The chemistry between them was undeniable, and they talked for hours until the sun started to rise. The next day, Jose added Martha on Facebook. After a month of quiet exchange, she invited him to her brother’s graduation party. Jose arrived and despite the chaos of the crowd, he managed to find her. They danced together all night, their connection growing stronger with each moment. Jose and Martha had become great friends by this point, stopping to talk when they saw each other in person at school and texting often. When Martha interviewed for a job with the CLE, Jose invited her over to his house to try a hemp seed shake he had just learned how to make. Martha shared that if she got the job at the CLE they could celebrate together, and after some good news she headed over to Jose's house. Jose handed her his favorite copper cup and said, “I never let anyone else drink from it.” Martha laughed nervously as she was unsure how to react. Days passed and Martha invited Jose on a trip to the movies, which was supposed to be with another friend who purposely cancelled last minute. What became their first unofficial date followed by a meal at IHOP, turned into a long conversation until Martha had to go home. It felt natural and easy, like they had known each other forever. Their bond was undeniable. Soon after, Jose planned a romantic day at the beach where he was determined to ask her if she wanted to be his girlfriend. The day had been perfect with a walk on the beach and the usual South Padre Island firework display , but just as he was about to ask Martha to be his girlfriend, fate threw a humorous curveball: he stepped on a crab, and it pinched his pinky toe. Martha couldn’t help but laugh, and despite the mishap, the moment was still filled with warmth. Feeling that the crab had ruined their moment, it wasn’t until Jose dropped Martha off at her house that he popped the question. “Would you like to be my girlfriend?” Martha managed to dodge the question, but as it continued to get late, with a smile and a heart full of affection, Martha nervously said yes. In that moment, their love story truly began. From that day on, their journey has been filled with shared passions for health, adventure, and laughter. They complement each other in every way, building a life together filled with love and joy. The magic of their connection only deepened with time, and their story, full of promise and sweetness, was just beginning.