The relationship of Andrew and Demyla can be split up into 4 distinct segments:

The Introduction

The Friendzone

The Besties

The Relationship + Engagement

While we take this trip down memory lane, let’s start at the beginning…

The Introduction

Andrew and Demyla met back in the summer of 2013! Andrew began coaching football with Demyla’s dad, and her dad decided to invite him to their annual family trip to Laughlin, NV. When Demyla’s dad informed her that a coach was joining them on the trip, she assumed it was an older coach and thought nothing of it. When the Rodriguez family picked Andrew up for the trip; Demyla and Andrew said hi to each other and went to sleep for the remainder of the 5 hour drive.

Once arriving in Laughlin, Demyla and Andrew were formally introduced. They spent the weekend jetskiing and drinking. Fun fact: Demyla threw Andrew off the jetski and made him jump off a cliff. They continued building a friendship through the night and walked the riverwalk stopping at the various hotels to cool down, grab beers and shots. They eventually made it to Losers Lounge where they drank, laughed, and danced the night away. The trip eventually ended and Demyla went back to Hawaii to complete her Masters studies while Andrew continued his adult life in California.

The Friendzone

When Demyla returned home in summer of 2014 their friendship began to really form. At first, they hung out in a group and celebrated football wins with beer and pizza. Since Demyla attended all of the football games to watch her dad coach, she saw Andrew every Thursday afternoon and Friday night. It is also during this time that Demyla began to build a relationship with Andrew’s dad.

As time progressed so did their friendship. They began hanging out alone and confided in each other about personal dilemmas.

The Besties

During the fall of 2015 Demyla and Andrew began texting everyday. They would send jokes to each other (mainly Andrew would be making fun of Demyla), talk about sports, or plan their next outing. Demyla and Andrew would often enjoy group trips to Vegas and San Diego. While they both enjoyed each other’s company, they never had an urge to be more than friends. They were both happy they found and developed such a strong friendship.

Throughout the early years of their friendship, strangers would often come up to them and ask if they were married or dating. Both Demyla and Andrew would laugh and say that they were just good friends. These same strangers would share how they felt a strong connection between Demyla and Andrew.

In spring of 2016 Andrew went on a cruise with his family. Demyla and Andrew were unable to talk for 5 days! When he returned they asked each other “Is it weird that I missed you?” Still, they had no intention of anything more than a friendship.

In fall of 2016 Demyla and Andrew were enjoying a night at Havana House when they kissed for the first time. Both of them were unsure of what this meant. There were a lot of words left unsaid and they were now entering an unsure territory. However one thing was for sure, all they wanted to do was be around each other.

In December of 2016 Andrew decided to admit his feelings to Demyla and she expressed that the feelings were mutual. Let’s enter the relationship.

The Relationship + Engagement

Demyla and Andrew say their first official date was when they went to watch Star Wars and eat at Chili’s. They spent many days and nights watching the LA Kings play hockey, watching football games and going to Poor Dennys. They enjoyed traveling and seeing new places together. They supported each other through loss, career changes, and broken friendships and they cheered for each other during the career promotions, championships and successes.

In Fall of 2022 Andrew knew it was time to take their relationship a step further. He contacted Demyla’s teacher bestie, Ana, and told her the news. They kept this a secret for months!

Andrew found the ring and met with his parents and Demyla’s parents to ask for their blessing. He informed them that he planned to propose during their upcoming trip to New York. With love, hugs and tears all family members were overjoyed about what was to come.

While in New York, Andrew suggested he and Demyla go for a walk through Central Park. They came to the famous Central Park bridge and watched a dog play in the distance, and fantasized about seeing LA Kings players playing hockey on the outside rink. Demyla turned and saw her friend Ana standing there and was shocked. When Demyla turned around Andrew was on one knee with an enormous smile and a beautiful ring perfect for her. Through his smile he uttered, “Will you marry me?” Through Demyla’s initial shock and tears she was able to get out the words YES!...and well the rest is history.

The FUTURE

Demyla and Andrew have enjoyed growing with each other throughout their 7 years together.

They have traveled to Hawaii, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Canada, Mexico, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, Virginia, New Jersey, Arkansas, New Mexico, and who could forget NEW YORK!

They have a goal to see the LA Kings play in every hockey arena.