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February 22, 2025
The Woodlands, TX
#Punkys

Oliver & Maria Gabriela

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Oliver Dugas

&

Maria Gabriela Ortiz

#Punkys

February 22, 2025

The Woodlands, TX

An international Love Story

Oliver was preparing to go to Guatemala to install water treatment systems for a small village near the Mexican border. On his Tinder profile, using Google Translator, he wrote in Spanish that he was seeking a Spanish tutor for his upcoming trip so that he could speak the local language. María had just arrived to America 6 months earlier from Venezuela. Not knowing English, she thought this would be an excellent opportunity for the two to help each other learn eachother’s language. After a few weeks of conversing, they decided to meet up. Oliver picked Maria up at her apartment where she stayed with her mom, Magaly, and younger sister, Maryelin. As she opened the car door, Oliver greeted her with, “hola, cómo estás?” At this point, Maria thought Oliver spoke at least some Spanish due to his profile being written in Spanish. He only knew that phrase, They then proceeded to sit in silence for the entire 20 minute drive back to downtown Salt Lake City. Oliver decided to take Maria to Chile-Tepin, a Mexican restaurant across the street from his condo. This would become one of their favorite restaurants to this day. After some time struggling to communicate, Oliver tipped the bus boy and waitress to assist in translating and breaking the ice. From that point on their relationship grew. After a year and a half of strictly communicating through the Google translator app on their phones, six and a half years of dating, and a relocation to Texas, Oliver and Maria are to be married. A story that shows that teamwork, persistence, patience, and the right app or two can lead to beautiful love.

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