We first met at the University of Arkansas through a mutual friend in 2017. Our connection quickly grew, and we began dating a few months before Diego graduated and moved back to Panama. Despite the distance, we continued our relationship for almost two years while Ana Laura completed her bachelor’s degree at Arkansas.

In 2019, Ana Laura moved to Panama, and we enjoyed being together there through 2020 and 2021. At the beginning of 2021, we decided to advance our professional career by pursuing a master’s degrees together. However, life had other plans. Ana Laura had to return to Arkansas for her master’s, while Diego moved to Sydney, Australia for his.

We navigated another period of long-distance dating for nearly two years until Ana Laura completed her master’s and secured a job in Melbourne. Although we were now in the same country, we were in different cities. We continued our long-distance relationship for an additional six months until Diego finished his master’s and found a job in Melbourne as well.

Finally, in May 2024, we moved in together and have been enjoying every moment of living in Melbourne. We’re excited to continue building our lives together and look forward to many more adventures!!