Jorge and I were introduced to each other at The Gretna Fest, in 2017. He was volunteering and I was enjoying the day with my sister, Sandy, and her boyfriend, Jim. It was a quick introduction; we said hi and went on with our day. We were both in the middle of divorces from our first marriages, so neither of us were looking for love!
Fast forward to December 30, 2017. Sandy asked me to meet her and Jim at a friend's party. I didn't know whose party it was, so I really didn't want to go. Sandy talked me into going because I was home alone and she wanted to get me out of the house. I showed up to the party.... Walked into what looked like a Spanish wedding reception. Everyone was dressed up and there I was in jeans. It was Jorge's parents' 50th wedding anniversary. I wanted to strangle Sandy for making me go...I felt so awkward!!!

I realized who Jorge was immediately, but that night he really caught my eye! He was dressed up in all black (till this day I tell him he looks amazing in all black). Throughout the night, Jorge kept coming over to me, bending down and talking to my big butt - iykyk! Hard to believe, but he loves big butts 😝! His humor had me laughing from that moment on.

I reached out to him via Facebook messenger and we talked for a few days. Then we went out on our first date, to Deanies restaurant in Bucktown. Once we started dating, he called me his tall glass of white milk. His sister even referred to me that way for a while 🤦🏼‍♀️. So.....I told him he was my short glass of chocolate milk...lol.

We told each other that neither of us were interested in a relationship since we were both just getting divorced. He tried to break up with me several times, because he said I was too nice and he was no good for me. We ended up apart for quite a few months. But, there was something about him that I just couldn't let go of. He loved my daughters and treated them with so much kindness and respect. He treated ME with more respect than any man in my past. A year later he introduced me to his son's and his parents. I fell in love with his family too! I'm so thankful I was able to spend time with his mother, Ms. Adela, before she passed away. I just knew she loved me, and I loved her too! His sons were hilarious; they were JUST like their father. I fell in love with them as well.

Later, both of his sons had babies and I felt like those were MY true grandchildren. There are not enough words for me to explain how much I love our grandkids, Jaxson, Elena and Rayne!!! They love their Lollie & Pop Pop.

Jorge and I never spoke a word about marriage during our relationship. We both said, in the beginning, that neither of us wanted to remarry. Then, on our way to Destin, FL in April of 2022, he brought it up. He asked me if I would ever think about marrying him. I said yes...I see myself with him for the rest of my life. He said he felt the same way. He also said it might be a year or so before he would look at rings for me.

Two and a half months later, July 16, 2022...... Jorge asked all of our kids, and my mom, to come over for a BBQ. We were outside; his son Gabe got down on one knee and jokingly asked me to marry him with a ring pop. Gabe is always joking around....I waved him off and said get the heck outta here 😂. I turned my head to look in a box and when I turned back around there was Jorge, on his knee, with a ring box. I thought he was also joking around (because he's ALWAYS joking around). He said "will you marry me?" ..... I SAID ARE YOU SERIOUS....ARE YOU REALLY SERIOUS...YOU'RE NOT SERIOUS. He said "are you gonna answer, cause if not I'm gonna put the ring up?" When I saw his chin quiver, I realized he was serious. I said YES, OF COURSE! 💍🫶

THE REST IS HISTORY....