Know that I love you, that I have always loved you, in ways that go without saying, in seasons that tease you to give up, at your worst, at my worst I love you. I have never needed reason. Simply your existence... is reason enough.

In May of 1974, for better economic opportunities, Rafael Fierro decided to migrate to Los Angeles, from El Paso, Tx. One year later, Maria Elena Apodaca also relocated from El Paso to Los Angeles. The once neighbors in Texas reconnected, fell in love, got married and had two daughters. Nicole, their youngest, was born on December 26, 1984. Nicole grew up in Highland Park/Glassell Park, went to St. Bernard Parish School and Holy Family High School. Providing their daughters with a Catholic school education was Maria and Rafael's main priority. In 1973 Jose Luis Ponce Sr. came to the United States from Guanajuato, Mexico. This was a solo trip as it was meant for him to determine if Los Angeles was the place his family would settle. Turns out it was and one year later, in 1974, Mrs. Carmela Ponce and Jose's older sister Sandra joined the patriarch in Hollywood. Jose, the groom, was born on June 16, 1984. He attended Blessed Sacrament Grade School in Hollywood and Daniel Murphy Catholic High School. Nicole & Jose would like to thank their parents for taking a chance, uprooting their families and lives and making that move to Los Angeles, without you our story may have never began. How We Met... The year: 1999 Location: Cathedral H.S Dance Nicole a freshman and Jose a sophomore. Nicole, a tall gorgeous glass of water, Jose just couldn't keep his eyes off her so he decided to approach her. Jose had long curly hair and it reminded Nicole of Justin Timberlake (swoon). So she took him up on the offer and they danced the night away. They exchanged phone numbers that night and flirted for a few weeks but lost touch...

The girl that got away... While hanging with a friend, as she was on Facebook, Nicole's profile photo popped up! Jose immediately told his friend to "add her"!!! This opened a door creating mutual online friends between Jose & Nicole. Jose went home & requested Nicole on Facebook. Nicole accepted the request due to their mutual friend (it worked Jose!) and about a 5 minutes later he wrote on her "wall"... she responded. He brought up *Nsync and she was hooked! A few weeks after texting back and forth Jose and Nicole randomly ran into each other at Big Wangs in Hollywood while watching a Lakers playoff game! He walked over they locked eyes for the first time in 10 years and her green eyes took his breath away!

THE PROPOSAL. A few years after becoming best friends and falling in love, Nicole and Jose took a trip to Page, Arizona to explore Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. While at Horseshoe Bend Nicole wanted to take time to stop and take in the breathtaking views but Jose kept wanting to find the "better view" of the bend, so they continued to walk. As they were walking, Jose began playing a Justin Timberlake mix that he created, with the help of Emilio! After finding the perfect view and setting up his camera, Jose walked over to Nicole. As she turned over to look at him... HE WAS GETTING DOWN ON ONE KNEE!!!!!!!!