V & M

We met in Summer of 2011 right before starting high school, just two teenagers walking the same hallways, attending the same classes, and building a friendship unlike one we have ever known. Somewhere between hanging out with our friends and high school parties, a quiet crush started turning into something neither of us fully understood yet. After graduation, life pulled us in different directions, but we maintained our friendship. Victoria started her college career at University of Miami while Marcelo went to the City of Angels to attend University of Southern California. We grew up. We chased opportunities. We learned who we were on our own. But somehow, no matter the time or space between us, there was always a pull back to each other. In college, during winter break our sophomore year, that “what if” turned into “okay… this is something”. We started dating for real this time intentionally, seriously, and with butterflies that felt a lot bigger than high school ones. And because our story loves a dramatic arc, we added long distance to the mix. Different campuses, different time zones, countless FaceTimes, and a lot of airport "see you later"s. It wasn’t always easy, but choosing each other always was. Then came the next chapter: Atlanta to New Jersey. Because apparently once wasn’t enough, we did long distance again. Different cities, different routines, same certainty. We learned that love isn’t measured in miles but in commitment, patience, and knowing that no matter where you land, that person is home. Eventually, we closed the distance (for good this time!) and have started building a life together in New Jersey. From Sunday dinners to date nights to traveling the world together, we stepped into something that felt steady and permanent. Somewhere between high school lockers and building a life together, we realized our story was never about geography...it was about always finding our way back. Marcelo is determined, grounded, and the calm to Victoria’s chaos. He is the kind of man who makes you feel safe while also making you laugh. Victoria is his partner in everything, his biggest fan, his adventure buddy, and the one who definitely DID NOT fall first… though Marcelo will swear it was her. On October 18th, 2025, Marcelo asked Victoria to marry him in Central Park in New York City, their favorite city of all. After the easiest yes, Victoria was surprised with their closest family and friends at her favorite restaurant that her family has been going to for generations, Puglia. It was the perfect start to their forever. We've grown up together. We’ve grown individually. We’ve chosen each other in different seasons, different cities, and different versions of ourselves. And that’s what makes this moment so meaningful. This isn’t just the beginning of our forever. It’s the continuation of a love that has already been tested, strengthened, and rewritten across years and miles. It’s knowing that no matter where life takes us next, we’ll keep finding our way back. Not because we have to, but because we want to. After all this time and all these places... It’s always been us. And it always will be.