We met at the University of Washington in the spring of 2011. With so many mutual friends we were in each other’s company often. Whether it was events in Red Square or drinks at Earl’s, I began to take more of an interest in Aleida. As we got to know each other over the following months, my feelings began to change and finally I mustered up the courage to ask her on date.

Home for winter break, Rogelio asked me on a date to North Town Coffeehouse in Yakima. I would say this is one of the reasons I knew this relationship could be a sure thing because I am obsessed with coffee. But more importantly the conversations we had around life, each other’s goals and aspirations and future plans, seemed to align. By the end of the night he had asked me to be his girlfriend, I said yes and ultimately decided to see where things would go.

We returned to school and a few months later in June 2012, we both graduated with our bachelor’s degree. The next 6 years of our relationship were spent at a distance. I worked in Seattle and she worked in Yakima. She then left to North Carolina to pursue her master’s degree. After completing her master’s program in 2016, she returned back to Yakima and two years later I followed suit. Our long distance relationship had now become a 15 minute drive. Yayyy!

Finally the proposal. It was a cold November night and I was exhausted from a day of student conferences. He had invited me to coffee at North Town Coffeehouse. Nearing the last few sips of goodness, I was ready to leave but he insisted we wait. I should’ve suspected something but I was too tired to notice. Finally, I see both of our families walk through the door and confusion sets in. Next thing I know he’s on one knee and asking me to marry him. Shocked I begin to cry and I say yes of course. He had me bamboozled.

Now after nearly 10 years together, though many things have changed in our lives, some aspects remain the same and stronger than ever. We both love our families, Husky and Seahawk football, Mariners baseball, hanging out with our friends, traveling to new places, going to the movies, Applebee's happy hour and driving each other crazy. So on September 4, 2021, be ready for some good food, tasty drinks and a whole lot of dancing.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites- Union Gap

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

Yakima Air Terminal (YKM)