We're getting married!

If you think living in the same city, attending the same high school, and sharing mutual friends brought Camila and Cristhian together, you’d be mistaken. Instead, it was a research conference in Oklahoma, a Fortnite Instagram story, and a timely DM that united their paths. Let me explain… In April 2018, Camila traveled to Oklahoma City to present her research at a science conference. As the overachiever she is, she aimed to make an impact with her presentation and saw a chance for romance. Back in high school, she had heard of “Urrego,” one of Terra’s standout soccer players, and thought he was attractive—a notion confirmed by a quick Instagram search. She noticed his post about Fortnite, a game all the rage that summer, and used it as the perfect icebreaker to spark a conversation. This single DM ignited a connection. After months of getting to know each other and realizing how perfect they were together, Cris asked in the best way he knew—offering a Wendy's chocolate frosty, Camila's favorite—“Will you be my girlfriend?” This marked the beginning of their long-distance relationship (fun fact: they have never lived in the same city throughout). Their love story blossomed in college, with Cris at UCF in Orlando and Camila at FIU in Miami. After graduation, Cris moved to California for his first job while Camila relocated to DC for her research. Adding to the challenge of being 2,665 miles apart, they faced a 3-hour time difference, complicating communication and virtual date nights. Yet, they were determined to make it work, flying to see each other often while supporting one another’s professional dreams. Then, as if the distance wasn’t enough, a pandemic hit, bringing lockdowns and a global toilet paper shortage. After some phone calls and playful banter, it was decided: Camila would come to LA to quarantine with Cris until the world sorted itself out. In LA, their relationship grew. Whether it was falling in love with propagating plants or navigating toilet seat rules, this time solidified their bond. They were no longer two individuals but a team that prioritized each other’s desires (though it’s tough to convince Camila to stop eating chocolate). Their love was rooted in genuine care for one another, not the superficial. It’s no coincidence Cris and Camila had a fairytale ending in LA—it is Hollywood, after all. As the pandemic slowed, Cris took a job in Orlando, bought a house, and left LA behind. With Camila in Gainesville for medical school, this move made perfect sense, bringing them closer. Orlando offered them a chance to experience something neither had done before: parenthood. No, they don’t have a secret child, and no, Camila is not pregnant. Instead, they welcomed the most adorable mini goldendoodle, Raine, into their lives in October 2022. Navigating pet parenthood together was a testament to their growth as a couple, demonstrating their readiness for the shared journey of life and the responsibilities ahead. On April 25, 2023, after five years of dating and living by their motto, "As long as we love each other, everything else can be solved," the proposal unfolded. It took place by a beautiful lake in Blue Ridge, Georgia, during a couple’s getaway after Camila's Step Exam. Cris had bought her a stunning white fitted dress and asked her to get ready for a surprise, raising her engagement radar. He told her they were going to dinner but led her to a dock they had explored earlier. As they walked towards it, Cris handed her cards commemorating each year of their relationship. The last card read, "We have a house and a dog together, but what’s next? Raine approved, by the way.” As they reached the dock, a saxophonist played their song, “Una Lady Como Tú,” while they walked down a rose petal path towards the words “Marry Me.” She said the easiest yes of her life, and they sailed away into the sunset on a private boat, marking the beginning of their forever together.