Amor

We met through a mutual friend, Mario, while volunteering at a swing dance venue called Metro Swing. We quickly realized we had many things in common and always enjoyed conversing. We eventually discovered that we learned swing dancing from the same dance instructors, which was a significant reason why we loved dancing with each other. We were even members of the same dance troupe, but at different times. Raul fell first and asked me out in 2019, but I said no. Consequently, we lost touch over the pandemic. After the pandemic, in 2021, I started hanging out with Mario again and he wouldn't stop talking about Raul. So I invited Raul to my birthday party. I thought, "It's been two years. He's over me by now." 🤣 Raul came to the party, and we quickly picked up where we left off. According to Raul, he genuinely enjoyed my friendship and wanted to honor my boundaries so he didn't ask me out again. Even though he was praying for God to bring someone like me into his life, that he could date, he was intentional to keep me in his life this time. Little did he know God had better plans. After many trips to Disneyland together on April 20, 2022, our friendship blossomed into a relationship.

With the help of a mutual friend, Ashley, Raul orchestrated a surprise proposal at Dos Lagos. Ashley walked me down a bridge to where Raul was hiding. Unaware, I was taking in the scenery and telling Ashley a story. At the end of the bridge, Raul walked out with a bouquet and an engagement ring in hand. After telling me about his love and affection for me and his desire to serve the Lord and grow old together, he proposed. The surprises weren't over! Raul invited some of our closest friends to share in the proposal celebration. I thought I was going to dinner with Raul and Ashley after the proposal, but when Ashley walked me to the back of Wood Ranch restaurant, my friends greeted me with a boisterous "Congratulations!". I was showered with goodwill, kindness, and thoughtfulness from Raul and my closest friends that day. I’ll always cherish that memory. It was a true testament to how blessed we both are to be in such a great community. I was filled with blissful love and affection, knowing that God heard my prayers over the last twenty years and I could finally proclaim, “I’m getting married!!”.