Nicholas:

Our love story began in 2011, where we took a physics class together in high school.

After graduating high school Marcela continued her education at Cal State LA and I went about my life working while attending Rio Hondo College. During that time we remained in contact only as friends and would often hang out to study, do homework, or go to food trucks.

In 2021, we reconnected through a mutual friend at dinner date where we both discovered that we were single. We began dating and later that year we

became a couple.

The years as a couple have been an experience of a lifetime because we were falling more in love with each other.

On December 28, 2024 I decided to take Marcela on a surprise trip to Catalina Island where I'd ask her to marry me.

Marcela:

I have always hoped for a fairytale love. When I met Nicholas in high school I made a best friend. It would be two years after high school and I’d learn I couldn’t only be best friends with him. During college we remained friends and enjoyed dates at Tender Greens, going to find Kogi, and helping each other out with homework. I would help with essays while Nicholas would try to teach me math. Though our friendship wasn’t as strong between 2014-2020, Nicholas always made sure he showed up for me. Nicholas attended and placed twice for my annual Race for Brain Tumor research race without receiving the annual text reminder that the race was coming up. He also reached out on several occasions letting me know he was always there for me.

Fast forward to 2021, a friend and I were going to Brazilian BBQ and he mentioned Nicholas was going as well. Nicholas took that opportunity to ask “so are you married yet?” I couldn’t help but roll my eyes and say no. We texted a bit after that night but I was focused on not being focused on him. A month went by and Nicholas asked me out. This was during Covid- when we all had to make reservations ahead of time to secure a table... did Nicholas do that? No. We arrived at Taps (now closed) for our first date and saw a long line to get in. This bothered me because I expected a perfect first date. I tried to keep my cool but I felt I was showing it because Nicholas was being extremely apologetic. He finally asked if we could go in to the bar and wait for their table. After sipping on that liquid courage he started to talk more and mentioned that he’s had strong feelings for me for so many years. I was confused but also very happy. We talked for hours that night and agreed we’d take things slow. After that night, nothing was slow.

I remember telling Nicholas I still wanted to do everything I wished to do before jumping into a new relationship- travel, see all Disney parks, get my masters. Nicholas wasted no time in making sure I felt supported and could do as I wanted. I was accepted into grad school and was also planning my first trip with him the first year we were dating. We’ve enjoyed the smallest things together like walking at the mall after a heavy meal to the very big things like getting lost in Kawasaki but remaining calm and using Google translate to communicate. In October of 2021 I hit him with the news that I was going to review some scans with my neurologist and again, during Covid when we couldn’t go into appointments and they were held via Skype, this man showed up and parked next to my car so he could support me regardless of the outcome. I knew that God sent him back into my life because when I think back on things, he was always present when I needed someone and I know he will continue to be. It happened by fate but it’s strong because our faith is. This is my fairytale love.