It’s happening!

Brockport, New York Marvette: It was my first day at SUNY Brockport as a transfer student. I had just met my new roommates and I waa walking back and forth moving into my dorm. I walk in and this guy immediately introduces himself. I couldn’t tell you what his name was in that moment because I stopped listening. We small talked for a little. Of course the Resident Assistant wanted to do an icebreaker with our floor. It was a name game. He wasn’t suppose to be there (he lived on the 3rd floor). He is next to me and says everyones name. It’s my turn in the game and I immediately lost since I still did not know his name. We ended up talking (arguing) about sports. He couldn’t handle my knowledge, he was raising his voice because he was losing. I triggered him and it was hilarious. In that moment, I knew I had won. I knew he was someone that would be in my life for a reason and we remained friends.

Leandro: It was a crisp Northern New York day when God decided to bless my life with an angel. It was for many the first day back on campus after a winter break, I was making the rounds greeting my friends. As I was walking to the dorms to greet my friends THERE SHE WAS. She was in slow motion. I'm all but staring at her and she walks by me as if I'm not there. I walk into the dorm room and ask my friends (who I wasn't aware were her roommates) if they seen a really pretty girl who may be staying in their hall. As I'm talking about her she walks in! I couldn't keep myself from talking to her and getting to know her better. Everyone knows the same talking points, "where are you from?", "what's your Major?" etc. Once we got to sports and she had legitimate opinions about her sports, it was an instant connection or at least I thought it was. Her resident assistant requests an ice breaker game for everyone in her hall. I stuck around because I know a great thing when i see it. We play a game where you learn everyone's name in game. When it got to her... SHE FORGOT MY NAME! She was too cool for me and still is :)

New York, New York Marvette: $200 for each ticket for money neither of us had but we wanted a good time. We danced our lives away at Electric Zoo. I rode his shoulders screaming Zedd’s clarity lyrics. In those moments through our insanity we knew clarity was with each other.

Leandro: Many couples celebrate the day they met, their first date or their first kiss but our story is different. We have always been friends with similar interests in music and sporting events. This kept us close throughout us knowing each other. In fact, you could say the season would begin and end with music festivals. Many periods of transition in our lives revolve around our love for dance music. Big life changes always coincide with these festivals albeit new careers, new homes, or new cities. Which is the perfect time because for 2-3 days we become the most wild and free versions of our selves. In a way it is like washing away your every day self to experience our best. All this is relevant because on August 31st of 2014 at Electric Zoo Music Festival, we decided that date would serve as the official beginning to our new commitment to each other. We chose the date like we chose each other.

Hollywood, Florida Marvette: Leandro had just picked me up from the airport and we had NYE plans at my best friend's house. I took his phone to add the directions and most recent history was a jewelry store. A proposal crossed my mind but I was like nah I asked for new diamond earrings. We were enjoying the NYE party with a small group of friends. We gathered around for the final countdown of 2018. As we counted down 3-2-1 Leandro dropped to one knee and asked “Will you marry me?”. I kept saying Omg what!? My mascara started running down my face (because I am a G and I don’t cry) and I said YES!

Leandro: How do you know if you want to be with someone for the rest of your life? What makes a person "THE ONE"? The answer is you just do. 2018 was the not best year for us after our move to Florida. We found our way back to Church. After a lot of praying things began to change for us. The trials we went through that year created a stronger bond and I wanted to show Marvette that I wanted what we have for the rest of my life. The exact moment I knew I wanted to propose? One day where I heard a Bruno Mars line "Hey baby I think I wanna marry you". Something hit me - practically brought tears to my eyes. I knew then that I had to ask her to marry me. It took time to find the right ring and plan the proposal. I looked online for the right style and cut. I wanted to surprise her so I couldn't just ask. I narrowed it down to a few choices. I wanted to do it in NY as we were driving back for the holidays but tornado weather forced me to change my plans. I chose New Years so we can begin the New Year on the right note. Marvette ended up finding a flight to NY to see her family and came back on December 31st. While she was gone, I went to the jeweler and chose the ring. To keep the element of surprise, I only told one person so that we could capture the moment. I was a nervous wreck picking her up from the airport. I don't know what she was thinking but she could tell something was off with me. At the stroke of midnight when everyone was standing up I got down on one knee. I've never been more serious because this is the biggest question I've ever asked anyone and she literally laughs in my face. I was so scared that it meant no but she eventually said Yes and made me the luckiest man alive!