The year is 2019, June to be exact. Hector found himself as the general manager of Pandora Jewelry at the Willowbrook Mall in Wayne, NJ. He worked his way up from a seasonal employee to a “charming” expert running his own store. Emily found herself needing a survival job after completing her final cruise ship after 4 years of travel. What was disguised as a job interview was actually the start of a partnership that would bloom well past the doors of Pandora Willowbrook. They eyed each other from a distance for a long time. A corporately forbidden romance with a metaphorical “Do Not Touch” sign displayed for all to understand that we could not begin to even explore the possibility while we were still under the boss/staff dynamic. She tells him a story of how she lost her Pandora bracelet out at sea. A story that left him feeling like he needed to do something to make her smile. He bought her a bracelet with a single charm, the ballet slippers. It was an act of kindness, so small, so endearing. She took it with her as she went off to Busch Gardens to further her dancing dreams. He patiently waited her return. Then the events of 2020 happened and they parted for a brief amount of time. Little did they know, in the back of both of their minds, they thought of each other fondly and wondered when they could have more moments of passing glances from across the store. The stores re-opened and a position of management was needed. Emily knew performing was unfortunately not an option at this unpredictable time in history, so she asked to step up. He agreed and, of course, insisted on being the one to train her. For a month, their schedules were the same and soon the dynamic of boss/employee formed into a friendship. She began to see him as much more than Hector her boss, she saw Hector, the man. The man who loves movies, drawing and art, and of course his amazing family. And he, too, began to see that the girl who talked about nothing but Broadway did so because there was true passion in her heart, a passion he admired. With this new crush, they didn’t truly know how to proceed. They found moments to text each other after work. A message about inventory would lead to, “How’s your day going?” Or “Have any day-off plans?” And finally after hints not just being dropped but being forcefully thrown, he asked her out. It was the Sunday after Thanksgiving 2020. They met up and chatted for hours. Conversation starting off work related, then easing into all of the questions and curiosities finally being answered. They shared their first kiss in the parking lot on that clear November night and she never felt more at peace. Then December 8th, 2020 they solidified their relationship and their lives from then on would change for the better. They both left Pandora several months later, and their secret was revealed and a weight was lifted off their shoulders. She continues to perform and purse the dreams knowing she has a home in him when she comes back. He crafted his jewelry knowledge and sells diamonds to others who have found their true loves as well, knowing full well that his love that he shares with her is something that cannot be matched. Then, on April 2nd 2024, Emily’s 27th birthday, he took her to her parents home where our family and friends witnessed the moment, at exactly 4:02pm, when Hector asked Emily to marry him. And with all the passion she could possibly gather, she said yes. So you see, great events really do turn on small hinges. He was a manager needing an employee, she was a dancer needing a job between gigs. Thousands of people start new jobs every day. We couldn’t have possibly known sitting in that interview that we would become so fundamental to each other. And yet, here we are. We thank God for every small hinge we have turned on leading us to that moment. We cannot wait to marry each other and spend our day with all of you.