From there, Maria and Jamal began a seven-year journey that would take them not only all across the U.S., but across the world.

Maria, driven by her altruistic nature, left her job at Gillette and volunteered in Austin, Greece and Peru for nine months. However, this did not deter their love. Maria and Jamal managed to talk to each other every day, no matter the time difference.

Shortly after Maria left, Jamal started law school at NYU. Maria still found ways to surprise him from afar, planning a night out bucket list for his birthday and jumping out from bushes in Washington Square Park on Jamal's way to class. During COVID, Maria and Jamal moved in together in Brooklyn, where their love grew. Soon after, Maria was accepted into Yale, and the long distance relationship returned. However, and as this love story goes, they did not give up and made sure to talk as much as possible, visit each other, and make sure the spark was still alive.

After Maria graduated, she moved back to NYC. Then, on November 16, 2024, Jamal managed to surprise Maria for the second time in their relationship. He got her to Brooklyn Bridge Park, on a pier overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge, and proposed. She sealed it with a handshake. Jamal was confused. They were both elated and deeply in love. They are currently in Brooklyn, where you are likely to find them sitting on their couch watching a random sitcom.

M&J