Tony and I were both in our first semester of college when we met. We happened to be basement neighbors and I was friends with his cousin, who also lived near by. I remember one night, specifically when I first saw his handsome face... we were actually playing volleyball! When he introduced himself, I thought I would remember everything about this guy. However, I couldn't even remember his name! For some reason, Tino was stuck in my mind and I couldn't get it out!
After hanging out a few times, he finally got the guts to ask me for my number (and I could finally remember his name), but coincidentally, I didn't have a cell phone!!!! (Needless to say, I went home that weekend and got one). He thought I was totally not interested and quit trying to pursue me when, one day, I bumped into him on campus! Woot! by this time, I had a phone number and I (pretty much begged him to take it) gave him my number. To my dismay, he had already found a different girl and I was pretty sad about it! Oh well, right? I thought I would just move on but luckily they didn't last very long and I moved in!
We spent a lot of time together (not surprising, considering we were neighbors) and we had a blast! I grew to like him even more each day as I saw how he treated me doing things such as, opening the door, taking care of me when I was sick, opening doors for other people, taking me out and having fun, teaching me how to drive stick, cuddling me when I wanted and needed it, etc... I could go on and on! Time ticked and we kept dating.... I started to freak out because I was only 18 and not even considering a long relationship with him but not wanting to think about what it would be like without him. We spent many holidays together and finally made it to Valentines day! I was stoked to have a Valentine! I made him dinner and decorated his room ( I had no idea what to get him... turns out, he likes food almost as much as he likes me!) and he surprised me with a couple of cute gifts (with the help from his sister... and probably his mom as well).
Turns out, that was the night that I decided I might love him but I was unwilling to admit it. How could I not love that face though, right? We kept dating until he decided to go on a mission... I'll tell ya what, I would never want to go through that again! I wanted him to go, but I knew how badly I would miss him and how lonely I would get. The only things I could think of were things like "what if I get married before he gets home? This is my last time with him!" or "what if he decides in our time apart that he wants someone else?" And such and such. The day finally came that he was called to serve in the Paraguay Asuncion Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
I just love looking at his face as he opens his call.
What an awesome time it was! Bittersweet as well, though. I continued to write him and he wrote me as well... the separation took it's toll on both of us. Of course, while he was gone, I found another boyfriend that I thought could keep me company for a little while... he lasted longer than I expected and I wrote to Tony about him. I can't imagine how that must've killed him! In the end, I couldn't forget about Tony nor could I forget the lifelong desire that I had to also serve a mission. I broke this other guy's heart (don't get me wrong, it was hard for me as well... broke my heart too) and I turned in my mission papers cause I knew it's what I was supposed to do. It helped that I had full support from family and the bestie, Jessica (she was on her mission through all of this) and everything seemed to fall into place. I had many experiences in which I discovered for myself, that I really was needed on a mission. My call arrived on my 21st birthday but I was gone visiting my brother and his cute family, so I didn't get to open it until later. When I finally did, I was surrounded by loved ones as I read that I would be serving in the California Ventura Mission, spanish speaking!
Waiting in anticipation...
There it is!!! California, Ventura mission!
Tony and I both served honorable, full time missions and we both learned and grew so much! Total time without seeing him was about three years, but it was worth it. I wouldn't take those experiences back for anything! Tony got home about 7 months before I did, and now it was his turn to be put to the test... which he failed haha. I had about two months left to finish my mission when he wrote me and told me that he has a girlfriend ( I have to say, I expected it... just like he expected it when I did the same thing... What goes around comes around). I was pretty angry, I wont lie and I basically told him that I would see him when he got home. Which I did, he ended up taking me to the David Archuletta and Mormon Tabernacle choir Christmas concert and things went pretty well from there... I even lost all fears about getting married! Miracle! That is when I approached him and told him he can either marry me or lose me (basically) and we decided to get married. He finally proposed to me in March, and I (of course) said "YES!!!!"
We got married on May 3, 2011 in the Salt Lake Temple... what a beautiful place to get married! It was such a special experience and we continue to love each other more and more! We are now six months into our marriage and I am so pleased with who I chose to be my eternal companion.
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