J & B

I still remember it like it just happened. It was October 2023, and Joy, one of my closest friends hit me up, saying, “Yo, I got someone you should meet.” I had no idea what I was walking into, but then she popped up on video call — big glasses, beautiful smile, voice soft but confident — and I swear, I knew instantly. I told her straight up, “You’re going to be my girlfriend in a year.” She rolled her eyes. Hard. She didn’t believe me. I didn’t care — I meant it. We started talking about anime and manga, and I was just sitting there thinking, this girl is interesting. She had this energy to her — goofy, nerdy, smart, and chill all at once. I knew I wanted to know more. And even though she told me her relationship status was complicated, I told her again — I’ll wait. One year. You’ll be mine. We kept talking for months, states apart — me in Florida, her in Georgia. Then August 2024 came. She surprised me at Wendy’s after work. I walked in, and there she was. This time, in person. Real life. She had on this dress, her vibe glowing… I was dumbstruck. I couldn’t stop praising her. Gave her the biggest hug ever. Every second felt like it was moving in slow motion. I wanted to grab her and make out right then and there, but I couldn’t — not yet. On March 16th, she finally made it official. She became my girlfriend. Told y’all. I said one year. I meant that.

When I got on a video chat back in October 2023, I didn’t think anything major was about to happen. I was in Georgia, and our mutual best friend aka my bestie, thought it’d be fun to introduce us. Then I saw him — cute, total goofball energy, cracking jokes, wearing that mischievous smile. We started talking about anime and manga, and I thought, okay, he’s actually cool. He made me laugh. He kept my attention. And for someone who doesn’t talk on video calls longer than 20 minutes, we talked for over an hour. Then he said it: “I’m gonna make you my girlfriend in a year.” Cue my eye roll. I laughed, told him “yeah right,” and reminded him I had a lot going on. But we agreed to just be friends and see how it goes. We stayed in touch — all through the distance. He was in Florida, I was in Georgia. The bond grew. It just flowed. Then I moved back home to Florida in 2024. I planned a surprise meetup at Wendy's. Jacob and bestie had just gotten off work and I was stopping at Wendy’s on my way home. I even had the kids with me when I showed up (package deal). The look on his face? Starstruck. He hugged me like he never wanted to let go. He kept complimenting me like he was under a spell. He was even funnier in person — a total class clown wrapped in a huggable teddy bear. And even though I didn’t tell him then… I fell for him that day. It felt safe. It felt right. I hadn’t been that happy in a long time. And we never stopped talking. By March 16th, when I said yes to dating him, I had already chosen him in my heart.

Our wedding day isn’t just special for the two of us — it’s special for everyone who helped us get here. This day is for our friends and family who stood by us, encouraged us, laughed with us, cried with us, and believed in our love even before we said “I do.” But it’s also for the ones who aren’t here physically — and yet are with us in every single way. To Jacob’s mom, Laurie, Briana’s grandpa, Harold, and Briana's Aunt, Ruth, we feel your love all around us. We know you'd be here front and center, crying and cheering louder than anyone else. We know you're proud of us, of our journey, and of this moment. We carry your memory and your love into our vows, into our union, and into our future. This isn’t just a wedding. This is a celebration of love, of legacy, of us. We’re not just becoming husband and wife. We’re becoming a blended family — with three incredible kids and one strong, united heart. And now… We can’t wait to start Chapter 3. Together. The five of us..... as the Rivera's..... Five-Ever.