Her Story:

Nany would like to think this was all apart of his master plan since the moment he met me on New Years 2016. It was a complete coincidence how we came to be. Although we attended the same church we never spoke to each other or would have ever thought we would be each other's forever. We are both Cabo Verdean immigrants to the United States but I at 2 years of age and he at 20 years of age. You can imagine the difference in our experiences but this very difference is where the roots of our relationship grew.

This love story began when we were both asked to attend a New Years party by his cousin, my childhood friend Vanessa. I had my eye on someone else but according to Hernany he always had his eye on me. Fast forward from that every exciting weekend, and two 4 hour car rides to realize that we both underestimated each other. Months later I took the first step in contacting Nany to attend a Super Bowl party but he flaked. From then on he flaked a few more times which to him was a way of keeping me interested but to me surprising to be told, 'I can't today.

But I persisted and contacted Hernany to attend the City ministry. It happened to be a snow day and church was cancelled but I never let Nany know. He came all the way in a snow storm and I felt really bad so I asked him if he wanted to grab a bite to eat at the Thai place across the street. At this time I lived in Somerville and this Thai place was notorious for never closing, even if there was an alien invasion they would still be open selling the city's best Pad Thai. Little did I know Nany loved Asian cuisine too.

This unexpected dinner made me even more interested in getting to know him further. Weeks later I sent a simple text, 'I want to see you more.'

After many 'yes', dates, this friendship turned into a relationship.

Hernany and I established our relationship in a strong belief in God and a supportive family backbone. I cannot wait to marry this man. He has the perfect responses to calm my tantrums. The corniest jokes to soften my stubborn/ thick skin exterior. He has been the greatest support as I pursued my nursing degree. He is kind, open hearted, humble and not to mention has an amazing family. We travel, work out, and eat together. He always puts God first and together I believe we will change the world.

-love his future wife

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His Story:

Before meeting Kety I spent a lot of time in self-reflection. I believe that God was preparing me to be the person that she, whoever she would be, needed. I was not actively looking for a relationship but the relationship found me.

We met New Years of 2016 when we spent 8 hours in the car together talking. In retrospect she actually did most of the talking. As she was opening up to me I realized that I was complete wrong about this girl. I would see her at church and think there goes another privileged, "menininha d merca". translation: spoiled American girl.

I was completely wrong about her. She is determined, educated, spent time in Cabo Verde working for a clinic and has very strong family values. There was more to her than surface level.

After the trip to New York, we kept minimal communication. From what I had learned about her so far I knew that she was head strong and that she knew what she wanted in life. Lets just say she had options.

She invited me to a few group events that I turned down not because I was playing hard to get as she would like to think but because I had other plans.

Our first time alone was an unintentional 'first date'. She had invited me to the City Ministry but I did not touch base with her purposefully on the day of because it was snowing. I did not text her letting her know I was on my way. I was feeling guilty because she had asked me to attend before and I was unable to go. I did not want to let her down, postponing seeing her. Maybe this would be my chance for it to be just us. The church service was canceled and we met up and she suggested dinner. Throughout the dinner I was trying to read her but was unsuccessful.

Weeks later, she made the first move by declaring that she wanted to see me more. At that point this was the affirmation I needed. She was really into me I would say! On that same day we set-up a date and from then on it was real.

Kety and I complete each other on many levels. We make each other stronger and each day we are learning to work as a team. She is the perfect woman for me and God gave me more than I asked for.

-love her future husband