It all began on July 11th, 2024... a night neither of us planned to attend. We both had second thoughts about going out, but something — maybe fate — nudged us to show up. We met on the dance floor, mid-step, surrounded by music and laughter. With a little liquid courage, Thalia took the first step and sparked a connection that neither of us saw coming. Winston met her energy with his signature charm, and in that unexpected moment, something just clicked. From that night on, no matter how life tried to pull us in different directions, we always found our way back to each other. It didn’t take long before it felt like home — steady, warm, and meant to be. We found love where we least expected it and, even better, we found our forever dance partner.

After months of building a deep friendship—filled with laughter, late-night dancing, and more Disney trips than we could count—our hearts had already quietly chosen one another. On one unforgettable Disney trip, Winston decided it was time to turn the page. On the night of November 24th, 2024, while a live band played under the soft glow of fairy lights on the bridge at Disney Springs, he took Thalia’s hand, looked into her eyes, and shared a heartfelt speech about his love for her and his hope to make it official. Just moments after she said yes, as if the universe was listening, the band began to play “Tennessee Whiskey”—a song that's significant to their story, the one they learned to swing dance to, and one that had always felt like theirs. It was magic… and it felt like fate was giving its blessing.

Winston planned the proposal of our dreams — a full-day scavenger hunt that had been in Thalia’s heart for years. From the very beginning, the day was filled with anticipation, emotion, and intention. At each stop, there was a single red rose, a line from one of Winston’s old love poems, and a clue leading her to the next part of the journey. On the morning of May 31st, 2024, Eliz, Thalia’s best friend and now Maid of Honor, picked her up and brought her to her first stop to get her hair done. From there, she was taken to her childhood best friend Aylin — now her Matron of Honor — who did her makeup while they sipped mimosas, snacked, and laughed through the nerves. Both of her best friends then took her to her final stop: the beach — a place that holds deep meaning for us, as it’s where Thalia’s grandmother’s ashes were laid to rest. Waiting on the sand was a glowing “Marry Me” marquee surrounded by a trail of red roses. Winston stood there, heart racing, with our loved ones nearby watching quietly from a distance. As Thalia walked toward him, everything around us felt still. He shared words from the heart, dropped to one knee, and asked her to spend forever with him. As soon as she said yes, our baby girl, Alani, walked over with one final rose in her hands. That moment — the three of us wrapped in a family hug, surrounded by love, meaning, and memory — will forever be one of the most sacred in our lives. It was the most beautiful beginning to our forever.