Happily Ever After

Our families had been connected for years before we ever really found each other. I worked in an art studio with Ross’s mom for 3 years and later during fireworks seasons with Ross. I had secretly had a crush on Ross since 2019… but life had its own timing. In January 2024, I attended his sister Rebecca and Jake Ortego’s wedding with my family. Little did he know I was secretly plotting, I gathered the courage to ask Ross to dance. He said yes and three songs later, we were still on the dance floor. It felt like a real-life fairytale moment. Ironically, Cinderella is my favorite Disney princess and that night I truly lived it. I accidentally left my gold butterfly heels behind. The next morning, I texted Ross to tell him I had a great time and to ask about my shoes. His response? “I really don’t think I can give those shoes back unless we go hang out sometime.” I was squealing at work. I tried to play it cool and schedule something days later, but that very night he texted saying he was in my area and would bring them by. (My house is out of the way… which says everything.) We ended up sitting outside under the stars talking and laughing. Two nights later, we went on our first official date. I remember telling Ross that I never wanted that night to end. And it hasn’t. Being with Ross is a dream and I’m living in it every day.