It all started in Mrs. Braddam’s third-period English class at Brandeis High School in San Antonio, Texas. Alex spent most of that class staring at Isela because he thought she was the prettiest girl in the room. Isela, meanwhile, wondered why he wasn’t paying more attention to Shakespeare.

For the next six years, our story was a mix of timing that was never quite right and a feeling that maybe God had tied us together with an invisible string. No matter how much time passed, we always found our way back to each other.

Eventually, the timing finally lined up—and even though we had to do long distance for a year, love made the 278 mile drive from San Antonio to Dallas feel shorter. That year only proved what we already knew: when it’s meant to be, nothing can get in the way.

When Isela moved to Dallas, our story truly began to unfold. From date nights to long walks on the Katy Trail, the city quickly became our home. Then, after months of planning, Alex got down on one knee and proposed on a perfectly romantic evening in Cabo.

And now, after years of laughter, the silliest pet names you’ve ever heard, and love that only grew stronger with time, we’re getting ready to say “I do” and start the best chapter yet!