“We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.”

- Sam Keen, To Love and Be Loved

Our unexpected love story began in August 2021, when we were suggested as friends on Facebook. We later learned that we were suggested as friends because Ernie's son was my nephew's best friend.

Anyhow, as any woman would do, when he was suggested.... I noticed he was a handsome man so I somewhat stalked his facebook profile. LOL. Though I was enthralled at first, I saw he had many, many admirers.

Well one evening over dinner and drinks w/ my friend Tonee, she asked when I would begin dating again, I said NEVER, NEVER EVER. Yet, I jokingly mentioned my "facebook crush" and showed her Ernie's profile. It was all over at that point.

Tonee strongly suggested, outright coerced me (or she was going to do it for me) to reach out to him. I was so hesitant, but after two glasses of wine I said what the heck, and I did! BTW...Ernie loves the fact that I was the one that reached out to him first.

My pick up line you ask?... it was "I see that you served as a Marine, my brother is Marine, thank you for your service". Great huh? Well his response was "thank you, and thank you to your brother". That was it! LOL

After a slow start, we gain traction quickly. Soon texting and talking on the phone for hours. Learning about each other, that we are both parents of young adult children, have similar values, our bdays are two days apart (we're both Leos) AND we both saw the play Wicked on Broadway in New York! We had so much in common! He asked me to dinner - our first date was on August 26, 2021 at the Cellar in Downtown Fullerton. It was such a fun and wonderful first date, all we did was laugh and felt instant comfort, connection, relatability...and chemistry!!!!

Pretty much, after that we were inseparable! Things progressed quickly and easily. We were going to baseball games, concerts, dinners, trips and hikes. We visited each other's homes- we lived 2 1/2 hours a part at the time. Long distance relationship!!! A side note, it was so peculiar to me that when we visited each others' homes we both had the same exact decorative signage displayed that read "difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations". Come on, is that meant to be or what?!? We believe we're each other's "beautiful destinations"!!! I might add, that his house was so clean and neat, just like mine!

As our relationship progressed, Ernie moved in with me! Driving to/from work 2 1/2 hours each way just so we can be together as much as possible. Our love and learning of each other continued. He met my family, I met his. We took fabulous trips together to Costa Rica, Italy, Spain, etc. We simultaneously began blending our families, meeting and spending time with each other's kids, and began going on family trips to Mexico, Jamaica and Costa Rica! We also adopted a child together, our baby boy Choco (a chocolate lab)!!!

After almost 4 years later and a wild ride, he asked me to be his wife on June 14, 2024 in Costa Rica in front of most of our children and his sister & nieces - which was the BEST!! I said YES!!! We were already in the process of buying are home together and closed on July 21, 2024. We now live in La Quinta!! Ernie's commute is now only 7 minutes ;) and I continue to work remotely.

In our love story, I left out the challenges along the way. There have been a few- long distance relationship, moving, learning about each other, etc., the challenges and changes that most couples face, but we chose to endure despite. It only strengthens our bond. Here's to our next adventure as husband and wife! OMG We're getting married!!!! XOXOXO

Thank you to all who have supported our relationship along the way, our beautiful children, our friends and family that love us and care about us!! We love you all. Here's to the upcoming special celebration of our Happily Ever After!!