#CruzinToCarigma

We met back in '98/'99. Ryan was my cousins neighbor on Flatbush Ave. in Norwalk, went to school with my cousins at St. John of God, and he was always just the neighbor. We didn't talk much in high school but would randomly run into each other in Cerritos and different parties. Thanks to social media, we spent our adult years keeping in contact via Facebook and Instagram, always leaving friendly comments & likes to each other. We both had kids in our early 20's, Gavin (16) & Jayden (15). Our kids were both into basketball at a young age, so our casual conversations were about travel ball, NBA 2k, and him making fun of me for taking Gavin to Clippers games. As our kids got to around ages 8 & 9, we would run into each other more & more at basketball tournaments. One super random day, I posted a selfie on Instagram and Ryan texted me making fun of me (per usual). We started texting, just as friends, like we always have. The casual texting turned into meeting for coffee at Starbucks, then boba, then the movies... and well, here we are today! From an unexpected interaction, off a random selfie, WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!!

Did I know the proposal was coming? YES! Did I think it was coming on SuperBowl? NO! The weekend started with my sister-in-law, Kristine, suggesting we have our annual Galentine's Day celebration. Usually it's us getting our nails done followed by lunch and drinks. But this year, I really just wanted to get a pedicure, but she kept insisting I do my nails (so obviously I had a hunch, cuz she never pressures me). So I played along, we got our nails done & had lunch. Sunday was going to be mine & Ryan's 5th Anniversary, we had plans for dinner on Monday, since it was SuperBowl. So I figured if it was gonna happen, that was the day. Fast forward to SuperBowl Sunday, as we were getting ready that morning, I made a comment to Ryan about not feeling like going out, so can we just stay home? He quickly answered "NO!", thought it was weird but whatever, went along with it anyways. Ryan also came home with a huge beautiful arrangement of flowers for our anniversary. We went to Ryan's cousins, Leanne & Thomas' house (My brother, Mark & Kristine, were previously invited, so I knew they would be there). So SuperBowl is getting ready to start, I'm prepping shots as I always do, everything is normal, just a regular day hanging out with his cousins. I did not expect the proposal at all, since my family wasn't there and Ryan knows I wouldn't get engaged without my family. After I poured our 2nd round of shots, Ryan stops everyone to make a toast (thought it was weird, but again, went along with it), he continues to talk about how it's our 5th Anniversary (embarrassing!), and as he's talking, I look over & see my dad; I thought to myself that was nice of Ryan to invite my dad, then Ryan proceeds to say "Cheers to the Chiefs winning & cheers to saying I DO!", he got down on one knee, everyone's cheering & yelling! It was all so surreal! After the proposal, my mom, my dad, my brothers, cousin, auntie & uncle all came up to congratulate us! Ryan got my family & his family together for our proposal! It was perfect! <3 in hindsight, apparently everyone knew about the proposal except me! It was the BEST surprise! A special thank you to my sister-in-law Kristine, and my new cousin-in-laws Leanne & Christine for helping Ryan from Day 1 to plan everything! From the ring to prep to the proposal! :)