Francisco and Kristen first met in high school but they didn't pursue their feelings for one another until they played co-ed softball with her family. What seemed like a harmless and fun way to pass time, quickly turned into texting all day and secret dinner dates around UH. After countless strikeouts from Kristen and several RBI's from Paco, they not only won their league's championship, but each other's hearts, too (aw).

The day we got engaged wasn't perfect. It wasn't stress-free and careless, or butterflies and rainbows. Our proposal story has more character than that. I was told to dress up for a dinner at a steakhouse with my best friend. We spent hours at the Galleria looking for the perfect dress to wear to dinner. With Francesca's best dress in hand, makeup from 2013 on my face, and the sparkling gleams of love in my eyes, we were off to the "steakhouse." After several outfit-saving stops along the way, we arrived at Herman Park. Myra insisted this "new steakhouse" was in Herman Park, and because I'm a good friend, I didn't push her on it. Not even when I saw Paco's truck in the parking lot... 3 times. We stumbled for a few minutes as we walked around aimlessly, until finally, I saw him and he saw me. Perfectly timed, music started playing as I walked (ran) up the steps and listened to Paco say the most words I've ever heard come out of his mouth in all 5 years we've been together. There were roses and sunflowers with twinkle lights all around us. Our favorite pictures from over the years hung with our family hidden around the corner. It was the best night. Herman Park will always hold a special place in our hearts. So no, it wasn't perfect, but it was ours.

The cool part about proposing to Kristen, is that her best friends are built in proposal planners. Truthfully, I didn't plan the small details, I'm more of a big picture kind of guy. It took about 3 months to bring together the proposal we deserved, the one we had earned. When the day finally came, I was basically ready. I just forgot minor things, like flowers, pictures, and showing up on time. After a quick HEB run, I managed to make it to Hermann Park just a few minutes later than expected, but at least I wasn't an hour late like Kristen was. Looking back, everything was exactly as I'd imagined it. Our family and friends were there, the sun was setting, and the whole scene was just perfect. The only thing missing, was Kristen. I remember being excited. I didn't know what I was going to say but it didn't really matter because I knew that whatever I chose to say to her in that moment would be right, because it would end with me asking her to marry me.