We both were registered in Math class together at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). We had a lecture class for two days and a lab class to apply what we learned in lecture. After the initial meeting, we, along with a couple of friends, starting sitting together to help each other with our homework. When we were signing up for next semester classes, we tried to make sure we would continue taking basic classes together. Once we started taking our major classes, we made sure to at least always see each other for lunch.

Rafael had a hard time thinking about how he wanted to propose to Thao. Finally, after a few weeks, he came up with a few plans. He knew that Thao was going to have an Art Exhibition to showcase her work. He also knew that after the exhibition, they were going to eat at a steakhouse restaurant. On top of that, later that night, they were going to decorate their live mini Christmas tree. His first idea was to propose at the art exhibition, but he remembered that she was terrified of being the center of attention in big crowds of people she didn't know. So that idea was a bust. His second idea was to propose at the restaurant, but the setting didn't feel right and the food would've gotten cold. Finally, the idea struck him. When they were decorating the tree, he would spell out the letters "Marry Me" with the string lights. This was easier said than done, so he asked from help from his father. His father then went home real quick to hatch his master plan. He came back to meet us at the restaurant with Christmas ball ornaments. Once at home, we started decorating and she wanted to hang the ball ornaments but I insisted on hanging them. Once I was finished, I turned the tree over and asked her to read what the Christmas ball ornaments had said. Each ball had a letter that spelled the words "Marry Me". Once she read that and turned around, I was on one knee with a ring held out. She said "Yes" (obviously) and we were engaged. We're excited to have you all join us in celebration for this next chapter in our lives.