Kiara and Rick first met when Rick decided to go back to school to take pre-requisites to apply to dental school. Rick attended his first pre-dental meeting at UCF the Summer of 2016 where Kiara (president of the organization) was hosting a meeting about a dental mission trip to Nicaragua. A few pre-dental meetings led to a few group study sessions. A few months later Kiara was sitting next to Ricky, the Organic Chemistry all-star at every lecture. A young romance blossomed in the classrooms of UCF, and the two were inseparable!

When it became time to apply for dental school, Kiara was adamant about attending her dream school at UAB. Rick had not received an interview to UAB and was very vocal about it. Something in Kiara made her want to do something about this, she (unconventionally) wrote a "letter of recommendation," to the dean of admissions - who she was fairly close to. It just so happened that the dean trusted Kiara's recommendation, immediately offering him an interview. Kiara tagged along the 9 - hour road trip to support Rick during his interview trip. They shared a "lucky dinner" the night before his interview where a very outspoken bartender recommended he eat "the eye of the fish" - as this was good luck in Haiti. Whether it was the fish eye, a miracle, or Ricks charming interviewing skills.... the interview was an absolute success as he was offered a spot at UAB that same day. Even while this school was one of the best dental schools in the nation, Rick will admit til this day he REALLY accepted UAB's offer because Kiara would be going there. After their first year, the couple purchased a home where the two would live together with dental school classmates. Their Birmingham home was filled with love, hosted many parties/events, and eventually their engagement party! So many memories took place in this home. Kiara and Rick knew if they could get through the years/challenges of dental school together.... they could get through ANYTHING (even graduating in the midst of a pandemic). The couple graduated in June of 2021 and would soon embark the next chapter in their lives.

She had no idea... that's what I'd say to everyone as we walked through the door of our Birmingham house to a group of elated individuals. The only thing that was different from the morning before was a stone on her finger. I wanted to propose the week before, but she volunteered for CRDTS licensing. I guess she had no idea what she was missing. After she shut me down the first time, I made new plans for our "anniversary." This time I made sure she wouldn't shut me down. I scouted out the winery with our friend Ivan, who had agreed to film the proposal. I spoke to our families and was ecstatic that they agreed to come up to celebrate with us. The stage was set. The day of she thought we were going to celebrate our upcoming anniversary - she had no idea we were going to create a new one. Behind the scenes I texted what felt like the whole world to make sure everybody was prepared for their individual roles. When we arrived, I texted Ivan to let him know it was show time. I also texted Ayah and Tia Ayme to let them know we are about 4 hours from returning home. They were at our house preparing the after party! Kiara and I sampled a grouping of wines, mostly sweet. During the tour of the winery I texted Ivan letting him know it was time to set up, the time had almost come! After the tour we went down to the brook, where Ivan and I had planned out our perfect proposal site. Kiara wanted to sit somewhere else, but I coaxed her into the perfect location. We sat down, eating a picnic of Publix subs and fruit. At the end of our lunch I gave Kiara our book. Kiara sat away from where Ivan would be descending from the hill. After lunch I handed Kiara the book that I have made for her every year since we started dating. It is a picture book that has pictures from the whole year. On the last page was a picture of the ring. It was then I got on my knee and asked her to be my wife! Ivan had been sneaking down the hill and got everything on video. She had no idea!

So many new adventures!