Our story began in 2016, back when we were both young and unsuspecting friends in High School. We went from having mutual friends, to being friends, to being lovers, and now to being each other's person. Let me take you back to 2016 when we were introduced by a mutual friend. It wasn't until junior year of high school that we began to see each other as more than just friends. In the days leading up to winter break, I told my friends about my crush. As we were both part of the same friend group, it didn't take long for him to realize I had a crush on him. As it turned out, he also had a crush on me. As soon as we came back from winter break we began to talk and hang out just the two of us. It wasn't long after that, on April 3, 2018, we shared our first kiss and he asked me to be his girlfriend.

I had to wait a year before I introduced him to my family. My parents required us to wait until after graduation to make things official because we weren't allowed to date in school. Contrary to this, he introduced me to his family much earlier. My first encounter with his family was at a church event that he invited me to. Several months later, Juan met my parents. I informed my parents of my boyfriend's interest in meeting them just before graduation. My parents agreed to invite him to my graduation party. He was so nervous that day he couldn't even eat.. Soon after their introduction, he came by with his mom to ask my parents for their permission to date me. One year into dating, mind you.

Perhaps you are wondering how he proposed and whether I was aware of it. The truth is that I was extremely suspicious of it. While black Friday shopping in 2022, we walked into a jewelry store where he asked me what rings I liked. As I tried on some styles, I found a few I liked. It was at this point that I realized the time was approaching. I thought our anniversary would be the day, but the day came and went without a ring in my hand. The day would come, I just had to be patient. Graduation followed, then we went on our first trip together, but still nothing. The day was coming and I knew he would make it one of the most memorable days of our lives. Upon returning from our trip, he asked if I would like to go on a picnic date. At around 10 am on July 16, 2023, he picked me up from my house. We drove to Palos Verdes to see the South Coast Botanical Garden. I must say, this is a very beautiful garden. We decided to set up under a tree after searching for the right spot. As we ate, I noticed how nervous he was. Seeing him constantly checking his phone, I asked if he wanted to play some games, but he preferred to talk instead. Throughout our conversation, he expressed how much he loved me and how happy he was to have shared so many special moments with me. As time passed, he began to look more anxious. Then he asked if I wanted to walk around the gardens. I said yes. A few minutes later, we reached the rose garden. He told me that he wanted to take a few pictures of me under the gazebo in the rose garden. My back was turned to him as he directed me to pose in a particular manner. Then he told me to turn around while I was posing. At that moment, my heart began to race and I understood that he was not taking a picture - he was doing what I had been expecting. Kneeling down, he held out the ring. At this moment, he asked, "Will you marry me?" As soon as I saw him there on one knee, tears of joy began to flow. Yes, of course. The wait was well worth it. It was better than I could have ever imagined.