We're getting married!

It all started when two of my friends and I decided we were going to spend a weekend in Orlando—primarily for the sole purpose of salsa dancing. Why Orlando? Latin clubs. Why salsa dancing? Because I had just taught them how to salsa dance and we needed to put it to the test. Anyway, I remembered there was this salsa club called Cuba Libre that I used to go to in Philadelphia, and, surprise, they had a location in Orlando too. So, naturally, I told my friends, “We’re going to Cuba Libre. End of discussion.” Fast forward to Saturday night. We all got dolled up, because, you know, we were going salsa dancing and had to look good. We made our way to Cuba Libre, where we quickly got on the dance floor, set up our own circle, and of course, got started moving them hips. While we were dancing, I spotted this good-looking guy walking in. I thought, “Huh, he's cute,” but didn’t pay much attention. I mean, I was dancing with my girls. A little while later, I saw a crowd gathering around someone in the middle of a circle, cheering them on. And who was it? Yup, Mr. Good-Looking Guy. Let me just say, this guy could dance. He was out here breaking hearts and sweat at the same time. But I was focused on my own circle and continued dancing—because, obviously, I’m not that easily distracted. (Okay, maybe I was a little distracted.) Some time passed, and I looked around to see him standing off to the side with a drink in his hand, taking a break. He must’ve felt my intense stare of admiration, because he turned to look at me. And, of course, I gave him the classic “look up and down” (I swear it’s just a reflex), and then casually turned away. To this day, he insists that look was an invitation to come over. I mean, maybe it was. Or maybe I was just checking if his shirt was a little too tight. Who knows? Not long after, he and his friend strolled over to our circle, and when it was his turn to step into the middle, he made a beeline for me. He grabbed me, pulled me into the circle, and we got down to business. Dancing business, of course. By the end of the night, we’d spent hours dancing, talking, and laughing—pretty much the perfect recipe for a memorable evening. But here’s the kicker: right before the night ended and I thought, “Well, that’s that,” he casually mentioned that he was from Orlando, but was in Jacksonville for his last week of work (what a coincidence, I live there). So when the lights came on and I started mentally preparing myself to never see him again, he hit me with, “Hey, if you're up for it, we could grab dinner in Jacksonville sometime this week.” I was like, “Well, that doesn't sound like the worst idea ever,” so we exchanged numbers. Later that night, should say morning since it was so late, he called me just to check that I had made it home safely (I may have blushed just a little for the gesture). The following week, he picked me up with flowers in hand—flowers, mind you—and we went out for Mexican food. We talked, we laughed, and that one date turned into another and another. And with every passing minute, I couldn’t help but think, “Oh no, I’m falling for this good-looking, salsa dancing Venezuelan stranger."

It was an ordinary Saturday, one of those days when I took care of everything for the week: cleaning the apartment, going to the gym, and cooking. I had finished everything I needed to do and was ready to relax when my phone rang. It was a good friend calling to tell me that after a long day at work, he wanted us to go to a club for a drink and to unwind. Honestly, I didn’t feel like going out, but he insisted a few times, and in the end, he convinced me. So, I said yes. I got ready, and we headed to a club called Cuba Libre. At first, everything was going smooth: we ordered drinks, chatted about life, work, and other random things. The music was good, and the ambience was fun and full of energy. After a while, we decided to move toward the dance floor, and a few girls invited us to dance with them. That’s when I looked to the left and noticed her. In the distance, I saw three girls in a corner of the floor. Two of them were white, but one that was a bit more tan with Latin features, was in the center, dancing between the other two. Something about her caught my attention. I told my friend we should head over to that side of the dance floor. As we got closer, the girl in the middle and I locked eyes. It wasn’t just any glance, nor one of friendship—it was something more intense. That intrigued me even more, so without thinking too much, I went up to her and asked her to dance. She accepted without hesitation, and from that moment on, we didn’t stop dancing. While we danced, we introduced ourselves and started to get to know each other more. Between steps, our gazes remained filled with curiosity, as if we both were eager to find out where the night would take us. Then the DJ switched to a slower bachata, and things got a little more intimate. I leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "Hey… what do I need to do to taste those lips?" She smiled, and I thought, "Okay, she’s going to shut me down," but instead, she looked at me with a face that said, "This guy is bold… but I like it." Nothing happened at first—I decided not to be too risky—but after a few more songs, I stole a kiss. And wow, what a kiss! I felt butterflies in my stomach. And so, between stolen kisses, laughter, and a lot of dancing, the night came to an end as the club was closing. We exchanged phone numbers, and of course, I wanted to see her again. I had an amazing time that night. Well, it turned out that the next day, she was heading home to Jacksonville, and by some twist of fate, I was working just 30 minutes away from where she lived. So, we stayed in touch and kept talking throughout the week, planning to meet up. When the day finally came, we went to a restaurant, had drinks and food, and once again, had a great time. At first, we were a little shy, but little by little, we started getting to know each other on a deeper level. We shared family stories, personal details, and I began to feel more and more comfortable. Honestly, I was liking her even more, and in my head, I thought, "She’s got great potential—she could be my girlfriend. Who knows, maybe even more one day."