It all started with a swipe -- Monica’s swipe, to be exact! There was just one rule on this app: no sharing your social media. Monica, naturally, missed that memo. And really, how else could someone discover just how amazing she is? Enter Emmanuel. He saw her Instagram handle on her profile and thought, “Who is this stubborn girl?” Curiosity got the better of him. One deep scroll later — every. single. post. — he slid into her DMs with a message that was long, thoughtful, and somehow perfectly him. He was instantly drawn to how much she loved her friends, how close she was with her family, and the spark in everything she did. Monica was cautious, after all, there wasn’t much she could find out about him at first. But after a few weeks of messaging, a bit of detective work, and stumbling upon a podcast featuring him, she saw a smile so sweet she couldn’t resist, and a heart even bigger. She agreed to a phone call. And just like that, they were hooked. FaceTimes became a routine. Laughter became the soundtrack. And soon Emmanuel was driving to Redding for their first date with an impressive bouquet of fresh roses and lilies in hand. The connection? Instant. The comfort? Like home. Somewhere along the way, Emmanuel began calling Monica "my miracle", not just because of how they met, but because of the way she came into his life at just the right time, in a way only God could orchestrate. Looking back, it’s clear that God was writing this story all along: guiding, aligning, and orchestrating moments only He could. And now, with hearts full of joy and gratitude, Monica and Emmanuel step into this next chapter knowing He has been with them from the very beginning and will continue to lead them forward, together.

On Saturday, November 29, 2025, Emmanuel planned the most beautiful surprise proposal with a VIP romantic dinner aboard a city cruise off the San Francisco pier. From the moment they stepped onto the boat, they were greeted with sparkling cider and escorted to a designated VIP table waiting for them, complete with a bouquet of a dozen roses. Monica remembers thinking, "okay… this is already next level". The evening included a full three-course meal, a live DJ setting the vibe, and access to the various levels of the cruise, including the outside decks overlooking the bay. It felt elegant, intentional, and so thoughtfully planned. And before you ask, did she know it was coming? Monica had a feeling it might be that night, but every detail completely surprised her. Emmanuel made it very clear that he wanted the two of them to see the Golden Gate Bridge from the outside deck, which Monica didn’t think much of in the moment. She simply assumed he wanted them to take in the full San Francisco experience on the water. As they stepped out onto the deck and approached the extravagantly lit bridge with the city glowing behind them, everything felt almost surreal. Then under that light, Emmanuel knelt down and asked her to marry him. For a moment, it felt surreal. The crisp wind from the ocean, the lights behind them and the water beneath them. It was simply a perfect night.