10 years ago, in the early hours of the 4th of July, Barbie and Vince were "introduced" by two friends–who knew each other from back home–in the wonderful city of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Little did we know, as we were BOTH texting on behalf of our friends who could no longer see straight, we were actually texting each other, trying to meet up (as them). We ended up spending the entire next day together, (which was still) the 4th of July.

Fair to say, there was instant chemistry.

Unfortunately, Vince was not ready for a committed relationship at the time. So, for the next year (and some), our relationship would remain a situtation-ship. [Here we are exactly one year later, not boyfriend and girlfriend.]

At Vince's sales banquet, not as boyfriend and girlfriend.

Vince still convincing himself we aren't in a committed relationship.

Definitely not a picture a couple would take.

We definitely had our disagreements...

We attended our fair share of weddings and Vince even caught the bride's garter 3 different times.

...and I caught the bouquet. 😉

Superstition debunked: We were definitively not the next to be married.

Kobe & Steph Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles

another garter & bouquet that didn't stand a chance..

We would spend every fourth of July together following our first meeting in 2015. Hermosa Beach, Ca

Experiencing the happiest place on Earth together (before kids)

We both share the birth date of October 16th. Barb enjoys being one year younger.

We hiked Koko Head Trail in Honolulu, Hawaii. Barb's panic attack is not pictured.

We attended our friend's wedding in Playa Mujeres in the summer of 2018 not knowing Barb was newly pregnant with our daughter, Romi. Cancún, Mexico

Here we are in front of a massive step pyramid, known as El Castillo or Temple of Kukulcan in Chichén Itzá (a complex of Mayan ruins on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula).

Jumped in a cenote together.

After that Mexico trip and after the huge surprise of finding out that we were expecting, we attended our daughter Romi's first concert—in utero—at the Rosebowl to see Beyonce & Jay-Z's On The Run tour. This is a photo of us getting ready. 😆 Pasadena, Ca

And even though our intention was to only take the step of moving into our first apartment together.. the universe had more in store for us. Spoiler: We had a GIRL 💖

Here we are 5 days before becoming first-time parents together 🥲. Trio Apartments, Pasadena, Ca

We welcomed our first child, our beautiful daughter, Romi Alexa Rodriguez on Saturday April 13th, 2019 at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena. A strong willed and sensitive aries ♈️ . Fun Fact: Barbara was also born in this hospital.

As much as we both loved our Pasadena apartment on Colorado Boulevard, paying rent no longer made sense with a new baby to provide for. With the help of our parents, we purchased our first home in Upland, California. Shout out to our realtor, Alexander Mercado.

Through covid, quarantine, and irreplaceable loss, we survived 2020. Here we are at our close friend's wedding in Los Angeles. I would learn that I was pregnant about two weeks later with our son, Luca.

Seven weeks early, Luca Jo Rodriguez decided to bless us with his unexpected presence, creating the most beautiful chaos yet. He would also stay at the NICU at Huntington Memorial Hospital for 33 days. Pasadena, Ca

After 4 long weeks and 5 days, we would finally get to bring our sweet yet spunky boy home with us and finally be a family of four. 🥲

Another trip around the sun together turning 34 and 35 in the desert.

We've had many trips up north to Pacifica Beach to visit Vince's hometown and family. Our kids know this beach as, "Grandma and Papa's Beach." Fun Fact: There is a walk-up Taco Bell ON the beach. (a considered wedding venue)

Vince will try to tell you all that Barb is a Niner fan, while she will stick with her stance that she is simply being a supportive girlfriend. Playoff Game against the Green Bay Packers @ Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, Ca

We were lucky to see the Los Angeles Dodgers for two of their World Series visits, Game 6 against the Trashtros in 2017 and again for Game 1 against the Yankees in 2024. AND WHAT A GAME! Vince may not be a Dodger fan, but he still got to fanboy in front of his favorite baseball player, Derek Jeter. #FreddieFreemanGrandSlam I C O N I C

And after 10—never boring—years together on our wild roller-coaster ride (with VERY little talk about marriage), and just 4 days before Christmas, Vince would finally propose to Barbara—in front of Pasadena's beautiful City Hall.

As one could imagine, proposing in the middle of Christmas chaos (*clears throat* the most magical time of the year 😬 ), Barb had a lot of feelings to say the least 😄.

The day after the proposal, with the worst hang-over possible, we celebrated in our front yard with a couple of close friends and family—and lots of tequila.

New Years Eve 2025 in our kitchen, both wearing matching onesies—this is our last photo of the 2024 year together. Let this be our best year yet, and with many more to come. As for "Our Story," we hope you can join us this summer as we write the next chapter. ¡Besos!