After several weeks of texting, calling, and video chatting, we knew we had to meet in person. Our first date was coincidentally on Valentine's Day, 2021, where we explored Washington, D.C. It was during Covid, and it felt like the world stood still.

For our very first trip together, we camped near the Cape Hatteras lighthouse in the Outer Banks.

Our first concert together was at the York Fair to see the band Alabama. Breanna and her parents enjoyed them years prior, and loved sharing new memories with Carlos.

For our first Christmas together, Carlos got to experience the holiday as Breanna had throughout her childhood. We stayed with Breanna's maternal grandparents, Gary and Belle, at their home in Bedford, PA.

We initially started house hunting in Oct 2021. We resumed after the new year and pushed to make this dream finally happen. After about 35 viewings we were finally able to close on our first home!

Our first Christmas in the new home! We added 2 new members to the family, Fred(R) and Oliver(L). We "foster failed" them after initially taking them in while they regained their health. They are best buds and add much entertainment to our lives.

This was the big day! Fretting over how it was to be done, Carlos decided to pop the big question at the foot of the iconic Neptune statue at the Virginia Beach oceanfront. Breanna's parents and "little sister" Leah were there to witness this momentous occasion. This photo was moments after the proposal. All the jitters were worth it, obviously!

We took a trip to downtown Lynchburg for Breanna's birthday....