It was March 2020 - the COVID-19 pandemic had just reached the US and everything was in lockdown. Yet the both of us were trying our luck on this little dating app called "Hinge." For reasons unknown, maybe call it fate, we both matched even though we were more than 50 miles apart from each other - way more than the location range we had set. As Jose likes to bring up again and again, Maria ignored his messages at first, but decided to give the cute boy from Hayward a chance. What started as a phone call to say hello turned into a 3 hour long conversation, then daily phone calls and virtual dates until our virtual connection crossed over into real-life. Because our love story started during the middle of a pandemic, our first IRL date was a picnic with take-out sushi. We had to use our creativity to find fun activities to do on our dates. As we went on hikes and explored new areas around the Bay Area (and definitely did not stay more than 6 feet apart) we enjoyed spending time with each other and kept growing closer together. Jose would make the hour long drive to Oakley to see Maria, who was quickly falling in love with him, and the feeling was mutual. Now 5 years later, we're ready to come together before God and our families and friends, to celebrate the great love we share.