They met the summer of 2008 at the Boys and Girls Club. Fidencio was trying to find somewhere to sit and eat his lunch, Maria welcomed him at her table. After a few minutes of sitting there Maria aggressively shook her apple juice, to try and thaw it out; Fidencio offered to help and Maria got defensive about her juice and wouldn't give it up. After that moment the two kids hung out all summer and even talked at school. One day when Fidencio had to walk home, Maria took a courageous step and gave him a kiss. The kiss was only a peck on the cheek, but it was one Fidencio would remember for the rest of his life. This kiss is what started putting things into action. One day after school at the Boys and Girls Club, the two were playing hangman, it was Fidencio's turn, his lines were 4, 3, 2, 3, 4, 2. Maria finally guessed the correct phrase to read "Will you go out with me?" The two would then spend the next few months going out every weekend to La Fiesta where they always ordered their "Mickey mouse" they ate at least a 12 piece every time and share the sauce at the end. The two spent 10 years together, a real "high school sweetheart" situation. They had their ups and downs, their lefts and rights, their back and forwards. Time spent from playing video games together to buying a house and adopting dogs together. Fidencio knew this was the woman for him, so when he could finally find a way to get her the ring she deserved he went out and got it for her without telling anyone, mainly to keep it as much a surprise as he could. It was perfect timing just a few months before the family reunion, it was there where he wanted to play a game of hangman again, this time his lines were 4, 3, 5, 2. Maria finally guessed the phrase just for it to read "Will you marry me?" (with some misspelled words, but that's neither here nor there). She said yes!

-Maria & Fidencio, your love story is beyond amazing. Thank you so much for sharing it with me and trusting me to document more of your love story unfold this coming year! I can't wait!