How We Met 

Noelle and Fernando's love story traced back to their high school days. They had several mutual friends but didn't truly connect until years later. Little did they know that a seemingly ordinary college philosophy class in the spring of 2017 would change the course of their lives forever.

Over that year, they went from casual acquaintances to close friends, bonding over study sessions, lunch dates, and their shared goals, dreams, aspirations, and outlooks on life. As 2018 dawned, their connection deepened, and romantic feelings blossomed. Despite Nano's shy nature and Noelle's initial uncertainty, their friends encouraged Nano to take the leap and ask Noelle out.

In those first giddy months of courtship, Noelle fell hard for him – not just for Fernando but for his warm and welcoming family. On a trip to New Orleans, three words carried profound meaning: "I love you." The city forever became a cherished emblem of their partnership.

When Noelle moved to Friendswood, Texas in 2019 for school, the couple experienced the bittersweet realities of distance. Though challenging, it had cast their commitment in a new light, teaching them that love requires work, patience, and sacrifice. After Noelle's return to their hometown in 2021, both graduated and embraced new careers. Noelle started working at her family's clinic as a physical therapist assistant, while Nano began his career as a draftsman. Discussions of their shared future beckoned them, and in 2022, they took the leap into homeownership.

The Proposal

On December 22, 2023, an unsuspecting Noelle faced a whirlwind day – vet visits, errands with her best friend Casey, and being asked to be Casey's maid of honor, she was on an emotional high. She even impulsively bought a puppy that afternoon, to which the typically no-nonsense Fernando surprisingly agreed.

Later that evening, as they prepared for Noelle's father’s birthday dinner, Noelle was preoccupied with their new puppy and rushing to get ready. In typical fashion, they were running late when Nano stopped her, saying he needed to get something from the car. Frustrated and thinking about their tardiness, Noelle was surprised when Nano walked back in with flowers. Her initial thought was, "Why would he get my dad flowers for his birthday?" But then, Nano got down on one knee in their kitchen—a place Noelle would have preferred over any grand setting—and proposed.

Overwhelmed by love and surprise, Noelle's immediate reaction was a mix of joy and practicality, thinking they were still going to be late for dinner. Nano reassured her that they weren't late; both their families were already at the restaurant, waiting to celebrate their engagement.