Rodrigo and Dana met playing soccer at a church event in Dana's second year at Washington State University, Rodrigo's first year. Rodrigo would come over to Dana's dorm and they would sit in the kitchen and have food and do devotionals. They hung out mostly at the dining hall with their group of friends and slowly got to understand more and more about each other. Our friends could see something brewing way before either of us could. At first, it was a bit one-sided as Rodrigo began to want to pursue Dana, but after a while, Dana came around and gave him a chance (and I'm glad I did). They went to a breakfast place for their first date, and it was a bit awkward at first, as they were transitioning from friends to something a bit more intentional. Once they were able to see that it was still the same laughter and fun as they had with each other before, things became more comfortable. Some time passed and Rodrigo asked Dana to make it official on November 24, 2018. We each grew in our love for each other and the Lord and leaned into that, with a lot of guidance, as often as we could. It became apparent that we both were headed in the same direction and so, with a lot of prayer and meditation on the Lord and His promises, we began to be more directed towards a potential life-long commitment. We both saw God's hand in this each step of the way and could not be more thankful for His continued love and guidance as we take this next step together.

Our engagement story started with us going to visit Dana's dad in Alabama during Spring Break. It was March of 2020 and we had left school just before COVID cases began to explode on the West Coast. While visiting, Rodrigo asked Dana's dad for permission and began to formulate a plan and place to pop the question. The second day we were in Alabama all of the restaurants closed, so there went the chance for a fancy dinner. On the third day, the beaches closed, and so there went a chance for a sunset proposal. On the fourth day, everything was in full quarantine shut down and Rodrigo was beginning to get a little bit anxious. On the fifth day, Thursday, March 19th, he decided that no pandemic was going to stop him from popping this question and so, during a socially distanced backyard get together with a couple of friends and my dad, Rodrigo shakily got down on one knee, opened a little red box, and asked Dana. She said yes and now here we are, excited to be celebrating with all of you.