Going to the Chapel!

We would like to take a moment and thank you, our family and friends for being part of our lives. We are so very blessed by each of you. To clear up any confusion, Jimmy and I will be having a ceremony on March 30th, in Yosemite. Our dream wedding spot! However, as much as we would both love to have everyone there we are limited to space. This is why we have decided to have two wedding receptions, one in Bakersfield and the other in Fresno. We would love to celebrate with each of you and this was the best way to do so. We are looking forward to it! Bakersfield Reception: April 6, 2025 Fresno Reception: TBD

I remember the exact spot where Viviana and I first met. It was at Fresno State in front of the Library where my fraternity and her sorority were passing out flyers for that semester’s recruitment. She had just become a fully active member and was being introduced to us guys. We had a quick “Hello, nice to meet you, goodbye” that day and would have a few more short interactions that semester. Every time we would see each other we would have pleasant interactions, but we were more acquaintances than soul mates at that point. Our separate lives moving along down our planned tracks in just that way… separately. Then all of our lives came to a grinding halt. Work stopped, school went online, people drifted apart, and plans changed for everyone. I was let go from my job at Fresno State selling tickets to sporting events and had to find work. I ended up getting hired at Walmart working in the online grocery department. I would get people’s online orders ready, take them out to their cars, and load them up for them. Most of the time I would be dealing with strangers, but sometimes I would see people I know and have the chance to catch up. It was on one such occasion that I would be reintroduced to Viviana. It had been some time since we had last seen each other, and we had only a few brief moments of talking to each other in the past, so we had to remind ourselves how we knew each other. We exchanged numbers saying that “We should hang out soon”! “Soon”, unfortunately, took about a year. It wasn’t time wasted, though. Over that year, God was molding our hearts and reshaping our lives to prepare us for what (and whom) He had planned for the both of us. Then, when His perfect plan was ready, He sent us back in motion towards our futures. You see, even before I was there, Viviana preferred going to the Walmart I would work at. She always set her pick-up for my store. So, one day, she came to the store she always did, the one that I just so happened to be at. Our Walmart. The only problem was that her order was at another store. Through some glitch, some error, maybe even divine intervention, she had come to my store and had nothing to pick up, and I happened to be the one to help her that evening. When I figured out what had happened, I made a light-hearted joke just trying to make her laugh. (She has a beautiful smile that warms my heart to the core, and even then, I was trying to find any way to get her to smile)! I said “I know why you’re here. It’s not for an order at all, is it? You’re just here to see me”! I expected a simple smile, maybe a sarcastic “Ha. Ha.”, or even a stern look and a “No”. What I got instead was a laugh far bigger than a line like that deserves, her cheeks turning bright red, and a nervous look in her eye like a kid being caught with their hand in the cookie jar. It wasn’t long before “We should hang out soon” became “We should hang out SOON”! We went on our first date, and everything from those first moments felt like home. I didn’t have to try to be anything other than the man that God made me to, and that I was free and open and safe. Now, that’s not to say that everything was perfect. Nothing in any relationship ever is. It takes hard work and dedication to maintain a relationship, but God has been with us through highs and lows in our two short years together, and He will continue to be with us as we move into marriage and beyond.

Jimmy and I first met at Fresno State, where we were both attending School at the time. Now, it wasn't love at first sight. In fact, I don't remember meeting him for the first time. According to him we met on campus while we were both "tabling". Meaning, promoting/ sharing about the Christ-centered fraternity he was in and I the sister sorority I had recently joined. The first memory I have of Jimmy was saying hi to him at a softball game before meeting up with my sisters. Even then, I thought to myself, "What a sweet smile", and "He gives the warmest of hugs". Meeting someone at school was not on my bingo card of things to do before I graduated. My plan was to finish my bachelor's degree at Fresno State and move back to Bakersfield. Months into a new university, a new city, a slight change in a career path and a lot of life changes that happened within the span of 6 months, COVID hit. We were now all doing school online and were pretty much disconnected from each other. Though it was a long two years it was needed in many ways. Those two years were a time of growth. There was a lot of unknown at that time. There were lots of hurdles that broke down and strengthened my faith in the Lord in more ways than one. Looking back now, I can see how it prepared my heart for what was to come. Fast forward, to Fall of 2022. Fresno State classes were finally back in person. I moved in with a sister from the sorority and that has been a wonderful experience all on its own. One evening her and I went to Walmart to pick up our groceries. Since the parking lot was empty, I called in our order. Unbeknownst to me we were met with a familiar face... Jimmy or "Kickstart", as we knew him as at the time. We realized who he was and caught up for a bit before saying goodbye. We said the common phrase you say to someone you haven't seen in a long time. -"Hey, let's all catch up and hang out some time." We exchanged contact information, but I feel it is important to note I never got his number. I just gave him mine. Driving away, I remember thinking to myself, "I wonder if he is seeing someone? If he is, what a lucky gal!" I didn't hear from him for another year. Now you may be thinking to yourself, "A whole year?!" Truth is, we both had a lot going on at the time and hanging out wasn't really at the forefront of our mind, BUT he was definitely on my radar. Fast forward to a year, one Sunday afternoon I went to pick up my groceries for the week. Jimmy came by my car, greeted me, and asked me for my order. To my surprise I was at the wrong Walmart. He teased that I was only there to see him, and I was slightly embarrassed and flushed. After some light banter we realized that I did not have his number. He gave me his number and that commenced the start to a wonderful friendship, although we both quickly realized we wanted to be more than just friends. Our relationship is not perfect by any means, but I don't think I could have written a better story if I tried. We have shared in so many joyous moments and we have endured hardship in more ways than one, but at the end of the day we have pointed each other to Christ. I believe that the Lord orchestrated the exact moment we needed to reconnect. Jimmy has been a wonderful example of God's nearness and unconditional love for his people, for me. I look forward to the day we get to say our "I do's", but more than that I look forward in spending the rest of my life with him as my husband!