We're Getting Married!

Maria and I first met at Clifton High School in 2005 while sitting with mutual friends during lunch period. Though we sat near each other, we did not interact much other than small talk. We both were in relationships at the time and never even thought of each other in a romantic way. A few months after graduation around October 2007, coincidentally we both ended our relationships around the same time. With the assistance of our mutual friend Cynthia, we met up with some friends at Hackensack Icehouse. Who would have known that night turned out to be the spark of the beginning to our 14 year love story.

In early 2008, we decided to make it official and began dating. Short of a year, we both decided to take different paths in life and remain friends. Soon after, I left to serve in the military away from home and Maria continued her studies at Rutgers University. Over the years through relationships, adulthood, and life’s obstacles we remained in casual contact. I had always known, no matter who I have met along the way; Maria had a special place in my heart. In June of 2013, I took a chance and invited Maria to the 115th US Navy Hospital Corps Birthday Ball in Maryland. She obliged and took the trip down with Ana, Lilly, and Liz at her side. That night, unbeknownst to Maria was a spark of something special in the making once again.

Fast forward a year and I invited Maria to attend my friend Alisha’s wedding in the Dominican Republic. She took a leap of faith and accepted, making it our first trip together. As I prepared for deployment to the Middle East for the first time, we were inseparable during my leave period in NJ. During deployment, she would write me letters and send care packages. All the while, Maria was working full-time and attending nursing school full-time. She still made time for my daily phone calls from 7,000 miles away. Shortly after returning to the US, I separated from Active Duty and returned home to NJ. After courting for 10 months, we made it official for a 2nd and final time as boyfriend & girlfriend on March 22nd 2016. Four years later in May of 2020 during the height of the pandemic I realized what I knew all along, that she is the one for me and so I proposed.