We’re getting married!

We met at Marywood University where I (Kristina) was completing a Masters of Social Work program so we knew each other in a professional context for a year before we went on our first date. I asked him to coffee -- half to discuss jobs in the field and half to flirt with him. On our third date, Ron boldly proclaimed that I was going to fall in love with him and I laughed. Falling in love was the furthest thing from my mind at the time! From the start, we had fun and just clicked! -- so much so, that soon after the pandemic hit, we decided we'd be each other's one person to hang out with in quarantine. Shortly after this, I remember thinking that we are just SO compatible and began thinking maybe he IS my person but still a serious relationship was not on my mind at all! I'd say that all changed for me in the month we spent building a fence around my 750 sq ft garden. That's when I started to fall in love with him. We worked so well together and were such a good team! And no matter what we did, we had fun just being with each other. For the first time, I felt like I had met my match -- someone who was just as comfortable going to an upscale gala as they were slinging chicken manure out of my coop! Someone who always looked sharp but was still totally down to earth. And perhaps most of all, someone who knew how to give selflessly. As soon as he met my children, it was clear -- we are a family. Xavier and Grace loved him from day 1! After a month, they were both begging me to marry him! Javi even pulled Ron aside one day when I left the room, at the tender age of 7 said to him "Ron, now that mom's not here, let's talk about that ring!" And Ron loves them like they are his own. Can't wait to tie this knot! --Kristina

First I noticed her smile. Then I noticed her inner and outer beauty. At the same time I noticed her intelligence, genuineness and ability to speak her truth. When we kissed for the first time I looked at her and said, “Wow, you even kiss like me”. I also told her that she was going to fall in love with me. In reality, I knew I could fall in love with her and was hoping she would fall in love with me. She did! All I did was be myself and I felt accepted & seen. And I saw Kristina! Early in our relationship we took a hike & talked about where we have been, where we want to go; we talked about hopes and dreams. We prayed. I knew that day that I loved her, although it took a few weeks to tell her. We worked the land together and built a huge garden and fence together & we fell in love. And the kids! When you date and fall in love with a single mom, it is more than the two of you. I met the kids and our relationship grew and I also fell in love with them. Very quickly we all became a family. I am blessed that a wonderful woman, her two kids and my 3 kids have become a family! I am the luckiest man alive to marry my best friend and form a family with the best five kids in the world! We already have so many memories, good times and so much more to come! Life is good! -Ron