If you ask Ricky:

Antonia and I’s love story began in the most unexpected way—online. It was December 2021, and I had just moved back to the Bay Area after completing my new grad nursing program in LA. I remember it vividly because, at the time, I was adamantly opposed to dating apps. Call me old school, but the idea of swiping through photos to find love felt ridiculous.

My best friend Jack was getting married in early 2022, and I didn’t have a plus-one. My nursing besties jokingly suggested I use Hinge to find someone to bring to the wedding. Naturally, I refused. I had resigned myself to being perpetually single, especially after an old patient read my palm and told me I’d "die alone, but with a lot of money"—a prophecy we all laughed about.

But my friends wouldn’t let up. They gave me an ultimatum: make an online dating profile, or they’d do it for me. Reluctantly, I caved.

Not long after, I matched with Antonia, and from the very first conversation, it was clear there was something special about her. We texted nonstop for days, and before I knew it, we were inseparable. As if by fate, we discovered we were not only both nurses but worked just down the hall from each other! It felt like the universe had orchestrated everything perfectly.

Beyond our shared profession, Antonia and I connected on so many levels. We loved the same music, savored the same foods, and shared a passion for traveling and adventure. Even our life goals aligned seamlessly. It was as though the stars had aligned for us. Time flew when we were together; hours felt like minutes, and every moment was magical.

What started as a search for a wedding date turned into the love of a lifetime. Antonia became my partner in every sense of the word. Our date nights were filled with adventure, whether dancing the night away at music festivals, discovering new restaurants across the Bay Area, or exploring the world together.

Three years later, here we are. I’m lucky enough to marry not just the girl of my dreams but my best friend—my squish.

If you ask Antonia:

In the winter of 2021, Ricky and I matched on Hinge. I was at a friend’s house, and we were using my dating app as entertainment. Scrolling through profiles, I came across Ricky, and it felt like fate—we had so much in common: nursing, EDM music, and a shared love for adventure. After exchanging just a few messages, we swapped numbers, and our connection truly began to blossom.

We’d text nonstop, sharing music recommendations and learning more about each other. Then came the incredible realization—we both worked at Stanford, just down the hall from each other! Ricky would call me during my early morning drives to work at 6 a.m., keeping me company while he started his day at the gym.

When we finally met in person, Ricky stepped out of his little Honda, and I was instantly drawn to him—his effortless style, his radiant smile, and the warmth in his voice. Time seemed to stand still as we talked; hours felt like minutes. The conversation flowed easily, filled with laughter and never a hint of awkwardness.

Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and our love only deepened. Our adventures grew too—EDM concerts became our go-to date nights, and our shared passion for travel led us to incredible destinations like Europe, Iceland, Hawaii, and Japan. Even life’s simplest moments became special because we were experiencing them together.

Now, three years later, here we are. On the iconic Spanish Steps in Rome, Ricky got down on one knee and asked me to spend forever with him. Saying yes was the easiest decision of my life.

I can’t wait to marry Ricky and officially become Mrs. Ocana. I’ll always be grateful to Hinge for bringing me my soulmate, my partner, my squish. Life with Ricky is the greatest adventure, and I’m so thankful to walk through it hand in hand with him.

A&R

Wedding Day