In a time when the world was uncertain, our story began online during COVID. After some time searching for a connection, I decided this would be my last attempt at dating for a while. Little did I know that fate had something special in store for me. God saved the best for last! We first connected on 05.23.2021, and after a week of texting, FaceTime, and late-night conversations, we decided to meet in person.

Our first date was on the 30th, and boy was it a day to remember. He wanted to be different and asked if I would be open to go shopping and help him find a suit for a photo shoot, which by the way never happened! When we finally met in person at Men’s Warehouse for what was supposed to be a simple shopping trip, it turned into so much more.

He was fashionably late, but when he finally arrived, I couldn’t help but smile. With his shiny bald head catching the light, blinging white teethe, plaid shirt, of course matching sneakers and an unforgettable scent that filled the air, I knew right away that this was the beginning of something special. He couldn’t believe how tall I was, with my natural curly hair and butter pecan skin complexion. But it was my eyes and smile that truly captured his heart.

Our day of picking out a suit ended with no suit LOL! But he did in fact not only buy me lunch but also dinner hahahah. But I did one better and surprised him by ordering and paying for a mimosa—with a shot of vodka! He said “yup you’re special”! What started as a day of shopping quickly turned into the start of our journey together, one filled with laughter, love, family, and endless adventures. And now, we’re so excited to continue this journey as we say “I Do” surrounded by all of you.

When I first met my queen, the woman who would become my future wife, I was captivated by her from the start. She walked into my life with a smile that lit up the spot, her tall, graceful presence drawing me in immediately. I couldn’t take my eyes off her beautiful skin and radiant confidence. She said she was 5’9 inches tall, but arrived standing at 6’ft tall thanks to those stunning yellow wedges, jean top and white jean shorts that she wore with such effortless style.

We connected quickly, finding that we had so much in common—our love for traveling, our passion for cooking, and the deep bond we shared with our families, both of us having lost a parent who now watch over us from heaven. But it was when I shared with her that I had five kids that I truly saw her heart. She didn’t flinch or shy away; instead, she embraced it, even expressing that she might want a child of her own someday.

I knew then that I had found someone special, someone who could be more than just a wife. I told her that my future wife would have to be driven and goal-oriented, a woman who could be my business partner and life partner, walking beside me in every aspect of our journey.

And as I looked into her eyes, I knew without a doubt that she was that woman—my triple BBBPR, Beautiful Brazilian Butter Pecan Rican, the one I had been waiting for all my life.