We're Getting Married!

Ariana & Jahvon met on the second day of moving onto the University of Hartford campus their freshman year of College. Ariana's childhood friend, now bridesmaid Kristen Rosado, introduced the two of them which began their "friendship." Across the first few weeks, they bonded and spent a lot of time together. Their favorite activities were going out at night to explore the campus, late night talks, and running through the sprinklers. One of those late nights resulted in Jahvon tripping Ariana; as one could say she 'fell' in love with him. That same night they shared their first kiss. Being the persistent young man Jahvon is, about a week later on Sept 24th, 2016 he made it official and asked Ariana to be his girlfriend on top of a Ferris wheel at The Big E (She's old-fashion that way lol)

Freshman year of college was full of ups and downs, but ultimately led to the young couple realizing they didn't want the year to end. By the closing of Freshman year Jahvon and Ariana made the decision to work hard over the summer to save up enough money to eventually move in together. That's exactly what they did. Going their separate ways the summer of 2017.... Ariana to work at Burger King in NY and Jahvon to go back home to New Hampshire to work at Dunkin Donuts and a daycare called Kiddie Academy. They worked tirelessly saving every penny that counted. Ariana didn't do long distant relationships and TRIED to end this romance on more than one occasion. But the persistent young man always said NO and never gave up on her. He knew she had trust issues but saw something in her: saw her being worth the fight. By the end of sophomore year, they saved up just enough, along with the help of bridesmaid Kristen Rosado, all three of them moved into their very first apartment. While there, for the next two years, they grew closer as they began to tackle life's challenges together. Realizing they are stronger together than they were apart. By the end of their college career, Ariana had a budding acting career and Jahvon was honing his musical craft. Supporting each other every step of the way, making sure they never lost site of each others dreams. But then came the lock down....

Upon graduating in 2020, life's graduation gift was COVID. This was a new and unforeseen circumstance that would test them in more ways than one. They didn't know what the next steps were going to be. Though, thanks to the gracious offer of Ariana's father, Raymond Martinez, the couple was able to stay with him and her step-mother, Yvonne Dominguez-Martinez. A year and a half of being couped up with your girlfriend's parents' is not the ideal scenario to starting your new lives into adulthood. Stuck in Ariana's teen bedroom with majority of their belongings was cause for tension filled moments of when they would be able to start their lives. COVID didn't make getting a job and on your feet easy, let alone being able to pursue your dreams like you once did in college. To get out of a cramped room, the couple went away for 3 months for a change of scenery. They lived with Jahvon's parents, Keon & Milissa Fox, in Myrtle Beach South Carolina. It gave them some time to continue to pursue their creative crafts and continue to look for work. After returning back to New York, eventually they were able to land jobs and move into their very own apartment soon after, although it felt like forever.

As Jahvon started his new job within New Jersey, Ariana started working from home. However, being home alone every single day took a toll on her as she became very persistent about wanting company. One day, going to her now Maid of Honor's house, Veronica Marchand, in White Plains Veronica took Ariana to a place where there were puppies looking for a home. Ariana came upon two white Maltipoos. Jahvon came and saw the girl puppy that jumped like a bunny and made everyone laugh. With some debate the couple made the impulsive decision to take her home and name her Lilo. With this new addition, they quickly grew from a young couple to a growing 'ohana, or family.