Always & Forever

Once upon a time, in a world bustling with ordinary days, two souls were destined to find each other. Our journey began on 9/10/11 volunteering at our local hospital. As we worked side by side, Saturdays became our favorite days. Conversation flowed effortlessly as we discovered shared interests, laughter, and a genuine connection. Anthony shared his plans to attend CSULB, and Nallely talked about her journey to UCLA, we both felt a mix of excitement and uncertainty about what this would mean for us. But what we had was something special, and we were determined to make it work. As the school year began, our schedules became busier, but we made it a point to stay connected. Late-night calls turned into video chats on Skype, and weekend visits became our little escapes. Each time we reunited, it felt like the world melted away, and we were right back where we started—laughing, talking, and dreaming together. Even with our busy schedules, our love only grew stronger. As our love story continued to unfold, we faced life’s challenges hand in hand. We celebrated each other’s achievements and provided comfort during tough times. Each experience brought us closer, solidifying the bond we now cherish. After completing our undergraduate degrees, Anthony embarked on the challenging journey of pharmacy school at USC. Nallely provided unwavering support and was there for him every step of the way. After Anthony obtained his doctorate of pharmacy degree, he moved in with Nallely during the COVID pandemic and pursued a one year postgraduate residency program. Despite his rigorous program, we found comfort in the routine we started to develop—grocery shopping together, cooking dinner while exchanging playful banter, or binge-watching a favorite series on the couch. Ultimately, our years of hard work and discipline enabled us to work as a full-time accountant for UCLA and full-time ambulatory care pharmacist for Kaiser Permanente. Along the way, we adopted two bunnies named Boba and Mochi and our little family began to grow. To celebrate all our accomplishments and milestones, we took much needed vacations to a variety of destinations and had amazing experiences. From snorkeling with turtles in Honolulu to hiking the Trail of Ten Waterfalls in Oregon and ending the year in New York City where we decided on forever! On an autumn afternoon where the leaves had just begun to change into rich hues of gold, amber, and fiery red, Anthony took Nallely on a picnic at Belvedere Castle in Central Park. Sitting side by side, we went through a photo album that Anthony made recounting our ten years together. While reminiscing about beautiful memories together and laughing (at a loud manic New Yorker screaming in the background), Nallely could sense Anthony’s anxiety as he turned to the last page of the album. He said, “There's one more page but I have to tell you something first...I love you with all my heart and you make me happy every single day. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you turn to the next page?” Nallely turned to the next page which had a picture of her hand wearing the exact engagement ring she tried on months ago. Anthony got down on one knee and asked, “Will you marry me?” “Yes!” she said, tears welling up. Wrapped in our love and the promise of a future together, we knew this was the beginning of the greatest adventure yet. We are excited for you to be with us as we enter our next chapter in life together as husband and wife!