Where to begin? They met in Puerto Rico in the 6th grade at the elementary school they both attended. She was a skater and BMX bike tomboy who had an affinity for the developing heavy metal culture unfolding in the mid-1980s. He was a sk8tr boy with the same musical interests. His friends were also her friends; she was one of the boys to him, which was fine because, at 12 years old, she was not thinking about boys.

Fast forward to the advent of Facebook, they reconnected with many of our former classmates and with each other. As it turns out, they both moved to the States and pursued their schooling and careers. At one point, they both even lived in the same state unknowingly! Both of them married and had children. They both divorced and one day found each other again.

Out of the blue, she posted a photo saying she felt cute while promoting the consignment shop her dear friend owned and worked at. Apparently, she looked really cute because she received a chat from Josean, whom she had not heard from in 30 years. What started as a "Hi, how is life?" became consistent chats, which later evolved into phone calls that lasted hours. After many months of phone and video calls, one day, they decided to meet in person; where else but the beach, of course? They drove to a 1/2-way meeting point between Virginia, where he lived, and Georgia, where she lived.

She had just had a spine fusion six months before that meeting and was still healing, but she still hopped in the car and took a chance. The most remarkable part was that they picked up and continued where they left off as if 30+ years of life had not happened. They still had so much in common, which was freaky but a good sign.

For them, it was a weekend to remember. Perla was very nervous and talked a lot more than usual. Those who know her well know she is already chatty as it is, factor in nerves, and she was talking non-stop. In the most perfect setting, while sitting on the beach watching the sunset, he looked at her and said, "Hush and kiss me." That was the actual beginning of a beautiful courtship.

Neither knew where this would lead, considering they lived in different states. They made plans to meet at various beaches to spend time together, and the rest of the time, the relationship was handled over many hours of video calls. Things were great, but after some time, they both knew they would have to make changes to make this work long-term.

At the time, she worked in GA's film and TV industry, which was booming. But when COVID happened, work in the film industry became nonexistent. That situation pushed her to expand her job search horizons and look for work outside the state. At this point, she had just had a second spinal fusion to correct the original one, which never healed properly. She was recovering from that when a job interview materialized working for a company in VA 45 minutes from where he lived. Luckily, she was hired. In less than 3 weeks, she packed up and relocated from GA to VA.

The stars were aligned, and they made that happen; this meant they could work on the next phase of this relationship. They signed up for Religious Education classes to be confirmed in the Catholic church. Neither had completed that requirement as teens and wanted to ensure that if the relationship was moving forward, they were doing it the right way this time. What was already a strong relationship became more robust, and they were both convinced this was it.

She hinted at him "putting a ring on it," partly joking and partly serious. They discussed the possibility that "one of these days, not tomorrow or the day after," as he often said, they could take the next step and become engaged. To her utter shock and complete surprise, while on a trip to the Mediterranean with a group of neighbors, during what was supposed to be his birthday dinner in a Barcelonian restaurant with everyone present, he dropped a knee and proposed to her.

To say that she had no clue that was coming is an understatement. She was shocked, ecstatic, and relieved. Fast-forward to today, where plans are being made for their wedding, which will take place on June 22, 2024, where they will celebrate a childhood friendship that became a fairy tale romance. They hope you will join them for this celebration!