It all started at Rockwoods, one night in November 2021, Ismael asked Melanie for her number, and the rest is history. Their love story started slow and steady. Melanie was living in Princeton, while Ismael was living in Minneapolis. Despite the distance, they stayed close and made time to see each other often. When Melanie moved to the cities, everything clicked — they became inseparable.

In May 2023, they moved into their first apartment in Minneapolis with their blended pet crew: Ismael’s dog Bodhi and Melanie’s two cats, Frank and Grey. It was a full and lively apartment, and they loved every minute of it. Their days were filled with dog walks and bike rides around the Minneapolis lakes, concerts, cozy coffee dates, and their go-to Wednesday nights at Parkway Pizza.

They took their first big trip together — to the Big Island of Hawaii, where Melanie was born and raised. She introduced Ismael to all the places that hold her heart: the lava-lined roads of Ocean View, time fishing on the Pacific with her dad, and visits with her grandparents. They promised each other they’d return to this special place as often as they could.

In September 2024, they took another big step together and bought their first home in Minneapolis — a cozy, character-filled house that instantly felt like them. It was a leap of faith, filled with excitement (and a lot of trips to Home Depot), but turning it into a home quickly became one of their favorite shared adventures. It marked the beginning of a new chapter — not just living together, but building a life together. They also added one more furry family member, a playful puppy named Oliver, who instantly fit right in with Bodhi, Frank, and Grey. Their home became fuller, louder, warmer — and even more full of love.

Then came the proposal. In the spring of 2025, they headed back to Hawaii. Melanie was convinced the big moment might happen on this trip, but Ismael was tight-lipped and kept everything a surprise. While visiting the waterfalls in Hilo, Ismael knew the moment had come. With a little help from Melanie’s sister (and some well-timed fake errands to the car), he asked Melanie to marry him — a perfect, peaceful moment. She cried tears of happiness, said "YES!", and the next chapter of their story began.

Now, they're counting down the days until they say “I do” — surrounded by the people they love most. They’re most excited to continue growing, laughing, and building a life rooted in love, adventure, and togetherness — and a few more animals (maybe) along the way. To our family and friends: thank you for being part of our story. Whether you’ve known us from the start or just joined the journey, your support and love mean the world to us. We can't wait to celebrate with you and make memories we’ll cherish for the rest of our lives.