I walked into Bubba's 33 restaurant for a server position. The first thing I noticed when I walked in through the door was a blond hair, blue eyed bartender. I sat down in a booth that was facing the bar on purpose because all I wanted to do was stare at him. When it was time for my interview, I remember interrupting the manager just to ask about who the bartender was. I didn't care, I was mesmerized. I ended up getting the job but Jake and I never talked. I was way too nervous to talk to him and I think he was to because all we would do is just stare at each other. Several months passed and I noticed that I wouldn't see him anymore. I eventually ended up getting a new job, so I wouldn't work at the restaurant as much. One day I decided to pick up an extra shift. I remember standing near the bar when I suddenly felt someone hug me from the side. When I looked up, it was him. He came to see me! We ended up talking and realizing we had a lot of things in common. After that side hug and first real conversation, we went on dates for 7 days straight! Even though I barely knew him, I knew I needed him.

I will never forget the day day she walked into Bubbas 33, where I was bartending. Another server hopeful, she walked in praying she would survive the interview process of the manager, and one of my groomsmen, DJ. She sat at booth 313, giving me a direct line of sight. I was speechless at her perfection. My palms became sweaty, knees weak, arms were heavy. In a move of strategic brilliance, I made the decision to turn around and pop my hips a bit, giving her a clear view of the snug jeans that caressed my baseball catcher's booty. No surprise, the move worked and she was hooked. All I had to do now was reel her in. DJ walked by and whispered, "Bro...313". My response was simple, yet direct. "Hire her", I said. DJ honored my request. Over the next few months, very few words were spoken between us. But the countless times we locked eyes told us everything we needed to know. When the timing felt right, I came in to the restaurant on the first night she had worked after a lengthy absence. A surprise side hug and margarita order led to our first true conversation and scheduling of a first date. That first date lasted hours, regardless that we both had to work very early the next morning. Sleep seemed obsolete in that moment. Without admitting it, I did not want that night to end. When it finally did, I told DJ, "I am going to marry that girl." 2 years and 1 engagement ring later, I am a man of my word.

Mila had been wanting us to get photos taken. "I wanna get pictures done Chulo, I wanna show us off", she would say. Mila will say I was being lazy and ignoring her, but she had no idea the plans I had. We took a weekend getaway to Nashville and as part of Mila's Christmas present, I arranged us to meet with some of my family who lived locally and have my uncle, a photographer, take pictures of us. Finally! The pictures she had been begging for. We went to an old industrial complex that had been turned into a mall comprised of small local businesses. This gave the photos a great rustic Nashville vibe. Mila never considered these photos to be more than just photos. In fact, because I surprised her with them, she complained about how she looked and what she was wearing. Nevertheless, she smiled and enjoyed her present. I knew I was going to propose during these photos, but wasn’t sure when exactly. Unbeknownst to me, my grandmother Charlotte had been talking to Mila during the photoshoot, asking her if she saw the possibility of marriage. Mind you, Charlotte had no idea I was planning to propose. Mila of course had told her that she definitely saw marriage. Towards the end of the shoot, we found a nice secluded area with a beautiful brick wall and rustic bench. As we took our final photos I asked Mila what she had been talking to Charlotte about. "She was asking if I saw marriage in our future", Mila said. "What did you say to her?", I asked. "Are you kidding, I told her of course!" I turned towards her and looked deep into her eyes. This was it, the moment. "Prove it." I slowly lowered to one knee, nearly eye to eye with my soon to be fiancé, and brandished an engagement ring. Before I could even get the words out, Mila was yelling "yes" in my face over and over. “This is not real, I am dreaming, OMG Jake”. “Marry me Chula” I told her. I grabbed her hand to put the ring on her finger. We were officially engaged! It felt amazing to finally start forever together.