Our connection began at a 2019 Portrait Party Phillip hosted in his Central West End home, where we were introduced by our amazing mutual friend Michael Baker. Life took us in different directions, but in 2020, a birthday + wellness float trip brought the three of us together again—this time, cementing our friendship.
September 2021 gifted us the beginning of an intentional, love-centered journey... sparked by a single farmer’s market trip, an impromptu brunch, a float trip, one flared-up Phillip, and a friendly visit with soup that sparked a budding connection.
In February 2022, after a snowstorm canceled plans to see Wale in concert, a spontaneous trip to Chicago followed, which threw off Phillip's master plan.
Shortly after, Phillip surprised Valeria with a beautiful cartoon book capturing their beginnings—a gesture that set the stage for a delicious homemade Chinese Spring Roll Dinner where he officially asked her to be his lady.
From spontaneous road trips and lively rodeos to late-night dance parties, intense game nights, and countless meals cooked side by side, our story has unfolded like a tapestry woven with love, laughter, healing, growth, and God’s blessing.
Surrounded by family + friends who've cheered us on and sharpened us along the way, we’ve grown from two dreamers into one unshakable team... and soon, into the family we will officially become in April 2026.