Lorena & Ignacio

December 22, 2024 • Orlando, FL

Lorena & Ignacio

December 22, 2024 • Orlando, FL

Our Story

Iggy and Lorena’s story begins back in 2017 at The University of Central Florida.


Iggy was studying Computer Engineering and leading SHPE’s (Society of Hispanic Engineers) outreach program "SHPE Jr."


Lorena had just moved to Orlando to study Industrial Engineering at UCF. She had heard of SHPE Jr. and decided to join.


Iggy and Lorena met on the first committee meeting. Sadly, Lorena’s schedule got busy and couldn’t continue attending the meetings.


They would both run into each other around campus and would say hi, but didn’t get to know each other more.


Time passed, they both graduated, a pandemic happened, Iggy moved to San Diego to work at Qualcomm and Lorena was working at AdventHealth. Life continued for them both until...


Iggy moved back to Orlando in September 2022, where Lorena was finishing graduate school.


This sets the stage for an unexpected reunion.

LORENA: We reconnected on Martin Luther King's day at Harry Leu Gardens. Ari (our mutual friend) and I were going to explore the gardens. She asked Iggy if he wanted to tag along. It had been around 6 years since we had last seen each other. I wasn't sure he would remember me. To my surprise, he did. We spent the day walking, catching up, and watching for birds.

January 16, 2023

LORENA: We reconnected on Martin Luther King's day at Harry Leu Gardens. Ari (our mutual friend) and I were going to explore the gardens. She asked Iggy if he wanted to tag along. It had been around 6 years since we had last seen each other. I wasn't sure he would remember me. To my surprise, he did. We spent the day walking, catching up, and watching for birds.
IGGY: For our second outing, we went to Southern Hill Farms to pick strawberries and sunflowers. This time, my mom Martha tagged along and we enjoyed a cozy day eating strawberry donuts.

January 21, 2023

IGGY: For our second outing, we went to Southern Hill Farms to pick strawberries and sunflowers. This time, my mom Martha tagged along and we enjoyed a cozy day eating strawberry donuts.
LORENA: Soon after, Ari had to return to Portland. She encouraged both of us to keep hanging out together (she claims she wasn’t setting us up). I had found that The Wave hotel had a sculpture garden and wanted to check it out. I didn’t want to go alone so I asked Iggy to join me. We were surprised that we ended up spending most of the day together and didn’t want it to end.

February 04, 2023

LORENA: Soon after, Ari had to return to Portland. She encouraged both of us to keep hanging out together (she claims she wasn’t setting us up). I had found that The Wave hotel had a sculpture garden and wanted to check it out. I didn’t want to go alone so I asked Iggy to join me. We were surprised that we ended up spending most of the day together and didn’t want it to end.
IGGY: A few weeks later, I worked up the courage to ask Lorena out on a date! We planned a picnic at a surprise park picked by Lorena. This would be my first time seeing Kraft Azalea Gardens.

February 19, 2023

IGGY: A few weeks later, I worked up the courage to ask Lorena out on a date! We planned a picnic at a surprise park picked by Lorena. This would be my first time seeing Kraft Azalea Gardens.
LORENA: Not even a week later, we were going on our 3rd date: a short road trip to St. Pete. The first stop was The Dali museum.

February 25, 2023

LORENA: Not even a week later, we were going on our 3rd date: a short road trip to St. Pete. The first stop was The Dali museum.
LORENA: Our second stop was Pass-A-Grille beach to see the sunset. This date was the most magical day for both of us and we knew we were meant for each other.

February 25, 2023

LORENA: Our second stop was Pass-A-Grille beach to see the sunset. This date was the most magical day for both of us and we knew we were meant for each other.
IGGY: A few months later, I asked Lorena to officially be my girlfriend. She said yes for the first time ;)

May 04, 2023

IGGY: A few months later, I asked Lorena to officially be my girlfriend. She said yes for the first time ;)

A year later, Iggy asked Lorena the biggest question…


To find out what happened next, go to the "Our Engagement” section