It all started one night at The Post in Winnebago, Illinois, where Marisol was working behind the bar. After calling last call, she was ready to close up — but one tall, handsome guy didn’t seem ready to leave. When she handed him his receipt, he insisted it was wrong. “No, it’s right — you really did have that many drinks,” she told him. He smiled and said, “No, it’s missing something… your phone number.” As fate would have it, her dad was standing right next to him. Marisol warned the bold stranger, “Wow, you’re really brave… that’s my dad!” But that didn’t stop him. Colton ended up talking with her dad for a long time, and it seemed he might have won him over before winning her heart. A few days later, Marisol shared that she had a 10-year-old son, Benji, thinking it might be the end of things — but it wasn’t. When they finally met, Benji and Colton instantly clicked, showing just how special Colton was. Soon after, Colton met Marisol’s cousin Justin, one of her best friends, and it was love all over again. Marisol often laughed, saying, “I’ll never get rid of this guy — my dad loves him, Benji loves him, and now my cousin does too!” Then tragedy struck: Justin passed away suddenly, turning Marisol’s world upside down. Through it all, Colton never left her side. He became her steady place in the storm, helping her hold everything together. Just two days after Justin’s funeral, Marisol discovered she was pregnant with their daughter, Sunni Lee Russell. In the midst of heartbreak, life offered a beautiful reminder that love always finds a way. A few months later, Marisol’s beloved grandmother passed away. Though she was too sick to meet Colton in person, Marisol was able to share the news of her pregnancy — a moment that meant the world to both of them. Through it all, Colton remained by her side. Their families quickly became intertwined. Colton is the only child of Tammy and the first grandchild of the Russell family, while Marisol is the baby girl of her family. Together, they hold very special places in the hearts of those who raised them. Sunni Lee Russell arrived on February 26th, 2025, and has been a bright light in their lives ever since. What began with a bold pickup line at last call grew into a story of love, resilience, and family. Through every joy and challenge, Marisol and Colton have stood by each other — and now, they look forward to celebrating their next chapter surrounded by the friends and family who have been part of their incredible journey.