Whoever first said that the best things come when you least expect it must have had some idea that Jimmy and I would cross paths so many years ago. Before we actually met in 2017, there had been plenty of opportunities for us to have met at the wrong time: as a possible ride to a party if I had said yes to going, as a spectator at the girls intramural soccer games, as just another guy at Northgate or an after-Northgate party. The list really does go on! Needless to say, our love story started on God's ever perfect timing.

What started with one taco date, where I witnessed Jimmy putting hardly any salsa verde on his tacos, went on to be many food-filled study nights, with not so much studying! It wasn't long before I realized maybe, just maybe, Jimmy liked me a little bit more than as just a friend. And as that thought occurred to me, it became clear that I sort of liked him a little more than a friend too.

When he asked me to be his girlfriend, in jandals because I had no idea where I was going (there's pictures to prove it), the obvious answer was yes! Yes to Jimmy's silly, outgoing personality, his thoughtfulness and kindness, his dad jokes that are sometimes funnier than I like to admit, his obsession with the color yellow, and his big, selfless heart.

In the time we've been together, Jimmy has never seized to show how deeply and unconditionally he loves me—whether its with flowers, cards and little notes, by washing the dishes when I am tired, or by putting his xbox controller down and his golf clubs away to spend time with me. This typically looks like target or TJ Maxx trips, watching shows like Love is Blind, or going on an evening walk together; life is so much more fun with a best friend!

As I think about our future, I consider myself so blessed to love and be loved by a man like Jimmy, who has always been my better half and will become so much more as the years go by. For now, I daydream about the love and laughter-filled home we will soon make of our first house (if it could just get built), about being surrounded by all our closest family and friends on our wedding day, and about the countless precious memories we've yet to make as husband and wife.

How did Yuli and I meet? You could say at Texas A&M or you could say through social media—both would be correct!
After many and many weeks of first DMs and then texting, she finally said yes to what I thought was a “date.” Months later I would find out that to Yuli, it was indeed not a date! It was just a fun time eating tacos and Yuli being amused by the lack of salsa on my tacos (I wasn't good with spicy until Yuli’s family made me good at it!) The studious Yuli always seemed to be busy with school, so in order to spend time with her, I suddenly had to “study” more frequently too! All this led to our real (to both of us), official first date: pupusas and a study night.
As time progressed, our conversations got funnier, longer, and we could go on for hours talking through text message, Snapchat, and Twitter—all at the same time. The day I asked her to be my girlfriend, I couldn’t have done it without the help of my friends. Yuli was blindfolded and was taken to the park, where I awaited with a picnic basket asking her to be my girlfriend, a really amazing day because she said yes!
After many semesters and many sushi, Wingstop, and steak dates, it was time for me to start my first adult job in Dallas while Yuli finished her master’s program. Those years of long distance really made me cherish the weekends for the moments we could spend together. I was always excited on Fridays on my way to see Yuli in College Station but really sad on Sundays when it was time to leave. The day we were able to permanently be in the same area 24/7 was like Christmas!
Now, as we count down to our wedding date and look back at every moment together, I am excited for what the future holds and spending the rest of our lives together!