It was 2019. A normal day at school. Vanessa was busy taking yearbook photos when one student kept jumping into the frame and ruining the picture. Frustrated, Vanessa finally yelled at him to get out of the shot. And in that exact moment… Abel noticed her. Some might remember the yelling. Abel remembers the moment he fell for her. Funny how love works. From that day on, Abel knew there was something special about Vanessa. But during high school, he never worked up the courage to approach her. Life went on, and time passed. Then after Vanessa graduated, Abel decided to take a chance. He asked his art teacher for her name and, a few days later, sent her a message. Vanessa didn’t think much of it at first. But Abel didn’t give up. Days turned into months… and months turned into years. For three years, Abel continued reaching out, hoping one day Vanessa might notice the guy who had noticed her long ago. Then came a sunny day in July of 2021. Vanessa finally got curious. “Who is this guy… and why is he so persistent?” So she thought, why not? One date won’t hurt. Later that week they went for a walk on the beach. What was supposed to be “just one date” quickly turned into hours of talking, laughing, and getting to know each other. And just like that… everything changed. They became inseparable. Vanessa fell in love with Abel’s view on life — his charisma, his warmth, and the way he cared for others so deeply. Abel fell in love with Vanessa’s quirkiness, her strength, her standards, and the confidence with which she carried herself. But most of all, he saw something more. He saw his future. Three months after that first beach date, in October 2021, Abel asked Vanessa to be his girlfriend. From that moment on, their love story truly began. Over the next two and a half years, they built a life filled with laughter, support, adventures, and a love that only grew stronger with time. Then, on February 1st, 2025, Abel asked the question that would change their lives forever. Vanessa said yes. Yes to love. Yes to forever. Yes to a lifetime together. Now, nearly four beautiful years after that first date, Vanessa and Abel are preparing for their next chapter — marriage. A new beginning to the greatest story they will ever tell together. Here’s to a lifetime of love, laughter, and growing old side by side. May God bless their marriage, and thank you to everyone who has supported them, loved them, and walked alongside them on this journey. The best part of their story… is that it’s only just beginning.