Nick and Mercedes met in middle school at Western Science Academy as 7th graders. They were those silly, awkward, yet fun kids still learning themselves. It is true . . . Nick had a crush on Mercedes first! But it did not take long for her to start passing notes to the cutie in the beanie! Over the next year they grew to be the best of friends and Nick asked to take Mercedes to their 8th Grade Graduation Dance!

They both attended Hemet High School and got to experience pep rallies, football games, parades, theatre shows, concerts and finals together! Through High School they grew even closer. Nick asked Mercedes to the homecoming dance on September 20th, 2014 , which was so much fun! The next school day, they arrived on campus meeting at the band lockers before class. Nick then asked Mercedes, "So are we dating now?" and she responded with a smile on her face, "If you would like too!" They have been walking hand in hand ever sense!

Through College Applications, and an Amazing Senior Prom Nick and Mercedes got to have so much fun growing up together! All these moments lead up to High School graduation in May of 2016. Nick then attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in August of 2016 and Mercedes attended Mount San Jacinto College. Along the way they got to make so many memories together from Christmas shared, hiking trips, beach picnics, and DISNEYLAND adventures! Together they have started their next chapter alongside their amazing families!

(Told from Nick's perspective) So every year since we started dating we go to Disneyland for Mercedes' birthday. It's pretty normal now for us to go to Disneyland so she didn't suspect a thing. Mercedes' parents suggested that we get there right as the park opens so that was when I would propose and we would have a great early morning photo with no one else in the background. I told Mercedes that we should go early to get a picture in front of the castle and she was thrilled! She had always wanted to go to Disney right as the park opened so she thought it was a great idea. We parked the car and I noticed that all guests had to walk through a metal detector. This usually isn't an issue for me but I had an engagement ring in my pocket and I didn't want to ruin the surprise! I quickly asked Mercedes if I could put my wallet and keys in her backpack and slipped the ring in along with them. When the security guard checked her backpack I think he noticed the ring box because he gave me a little head nod and we were on our way! When we got inside the park we went straight to the castle and she was thrilled! We took a few pictures in front of the castle with the photographer there. Mercedes then went over to give her our ticket for PhotoPass but I asked if we could do one more silly one. I told Mercedes to make a silly "surprised" face while I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me. She said yes and it's been happily ever after since!

Nick and Mercedes, along side their families have been busily planning for the wedding while having some great times! Both Nick and Mercedes are still attending school and cannot wait for the wedding! Nick has continued to attend school at California Poly Technic State University in San Luis Obispo working on his Software Engineering degree. Mercedes has recently graduated from Mount San Jacinto College in May with three associate degrees. She has been accepted in the Speech-Language Pathology Program at the California State University of San Marcos and will start there in August of this year.