How It All Began - Cesar's Version

The summer of 2021 was my first summer in the United States, working at a camp called Trout Lake Camps. It was a big challenge: I barely spoke English, didn’t know many people, and was incredibly nervous. But then I saw her. My first memory of her is watching her walk through the auditorium doors, and in that moment, I felt something special—like a little voice inside me saying, “I need to get to know her.”

I worked up the courage during a camp hike. I saw her talking with my friend Katy, and I knew it was my chance. Somehow, despite my limited English and shaky confidence, we connected instantly. I quickly discovered how funny and genuine she was, and soon, we were spending hours together playing board games and laughing at everything.

Then came the big moment. One Saturday, after a movie night with friends, I mustered up all my courage and asked her to be my girlfriend. I was so nervous, but she said yes—and that was the beginning of a summer I’ll never forget.

Our story wasn’t always easy. We lived thousands of miles apart: me in Mexico, her in the United States. But the distance never got in the way. She visited me in Mexico, I traveled to see her while she was in Costa Rica, and she even crossed the Atlantic to visit me during my exchange program in France. And every summer since, we’ve returned to the place where it all began: camp.

With every trip, every call, and every reunion, I realized one thing: she’s my perfect partner, my person. So, I decided to take the next step because, after everything we’ve been through, I can’t imagine my life without her.