We were both members of the Norwalk All City Youth Band. Ricardo was a trumpet player in the band and Brandi was in the drill team. There was a performance we had at Disney's California Adventure sometime around 2009. We didn't officially meet until months later. To be honest, we didn't even like each other at first. About a year later, our paths crossed again, and this time we both felt something there, but neither of us wanted to admit it. Afraid of what people would say or think, we kept our relationship private for a while. Ricardo officially asked Brandi to be his girlfriend on July 9th, 2010.

We met as teenagers, just at 15(Brandi) and 16(Ricardo) years old, when life was simpler and love was something we were only beginning to understand. What started as a frienship quickly grew into something deeper, and before we knew it, we had fallen in love. Over the years, we've grown up together; Ricardo taught Brandi how to drive, graduated from high school, graduated from college, helped each other decide what we wanted for our careers, and got our first apartment together. Like any long journey, ours has had its share of ups and downs, but through every trial and triumph, we've remained each other's constant. We've laughed, learned, and loved through it all, and we've always chosen each other. This wedding has been a long time coming, but in our hearts, we always knew this day would come. We're beyond excited to finally celebrate our love surrounded by the people who mean the most to us. Thank you for being a part of our story. We can't wait to share our special moment with you.

On Sunday February 11, 2024 Ricardo got up and ready for the work day. He was working every other Sunday during this time. Brandi had a Galentine's Brunch planned with her friends Dulce and Rosa. Brandi sent Ricardo off to work and Brandi finished getting ready for the brunch. Brandi didn't know that Ricardo asked for the day off and pretended to go to work. Instead, he drove to Brandi's parents house to ask for her hand in marriage. Frances and Joe had no idea that he was planning this. Ricardo asked Joe if he could hold his hand and he joked and asked "Will you marry me?" Joe looked confused and laughed. Ricardo said "No but really I came here to ask if I could have Brandi's hand in marriage." Joe replied "it's about damn time." Frances cried her eyes out. What they also didn't know, is that he was planning to do this surprise engagement in a matter of hours. Joe joked "Really Mickey? Out of all days? Superbowl Sunday?!" Ricardo didn't tell anyone about the engagement except for Justina, Rosa and Dulce. Unfortunately, Brandi's family may have given it away. So Ricardo finished getting ready, and headed out to Long Beach. Meanwhile, Brandi met up with Dulce and Rosa at Claire's At the Museum of Art in Long Beach. Dulce and Rosa were in on the secret as well, so they could get Brandi to the lighthouse in Long Beach just at the perfect time. They had plans to go to the Queen Mary afterwards, or so Brandi thought. So the girls suggested to kill time at the lighthouse. Ricardo hired a banda to play the song Deja as Brandi would be walking up. As the 3 girls walked up to where Ricardo was, Dulce and Rosa took a step back and that's when Brandi saw everything unfold in front of her eyes. Brandi couldn't believe it and was crying tears of joy all day and all night.

During all of the excitement of wedding planning, it came to a halt on May 9, 2025. The Father of the Bride, Joe Martinez unexpectedly passed away. We came close to cancelling the wedding because of how devastated we are. We gave the topic a lot of thought and we decided to still move forward with the wedding. This was Brandi and Joe's dream, when he would walk her down the aisle and have their father-daughter dance. While the absence of Joe will be felt deeply, his love and spirit will be present in every moment. We will honor his memory as we celebrate this new chapter in our lives, knowing he is with us in heart and spirit.