We met almost three and a half years ago at a wedding of some other friends of ours. Karlos knew the couple who were getting married, I had just met them and I guess I was the wedding crasher. I was actually invited by my friend Stephanne who called me and asked me to come out and join them. I was living downtown at the time and was getting ready to watch Sabado Gigante on Univision. I was already wearing my sweats and had settled in for the night but after some more prodding she got me to come out. She convinced me that I should meet her husband's friend Karlos, that he was such a nice guy and that we could go out and have fun together.

Little did she know that her matchmaking would lead to this day. We have been together ever since that night we met and couldn't be more excited to make it official.

Karlos and I had an instant family. We both brought kids from previous relationships. He has a beautiful 8 year old daughter who we call, Maddy and a handsome little prince named Destin who lives with us full time. Anelisa is my eldest daughter who will be graduating high school this year. She lives in California. I also have two other princesses, Dasia, eleven and Samira, eight.

Together, we've made ourselves a unique blended family and look forward to the years to come.

We are going to have an additional beachside ceremony in Florida when we return to officially blend our children together.

I Had No Idea

Our engagement took place at Antonucci's in Mission Viejo, California on April 13, 2011. It was during a trip to visit my family in California. My parents had met Karlos once before when they were in Florida visiting and they really liked him. We were there, sans kids, just for some rest and relaxation. It was Karlos's first official vacation since all the years he worked, he had never taken a vacation.

I usually notice everything, but for some reason, I didn't pay any attention to all the signs: my mom had casually asked me how I felt about marriage and if I thought Karlos was the one, Karlos insistance on taking me to a nice restaurant, my mother fussing over what I was going to wear to the restaurant and even taking a picture. I had absolutely no idea that this was all planned and that my parents already knew! Apparently, Karlos had asked for my hand in marriage. It was very sweet how he put so much thought and did everything the old-fashioned way.

We went to this nice little Italian restaurant and ordered our food. I dug right in but Karlos didn't seem to be eating much. He also looked so nervous as he played with the salt and pepper shakers. He told me some nice things about how happy he was to be with me. I smiled and ate my food, I must have been really hungry. Again, didn't pick up the signs.

Then, he stopped and told me again that he was happy to be with me and to my surprise, he slid off his seat and got down on one knee. I was so shocked! And I was still chewing my food. He showed me the ring and asked me if I would marry him. I said yes and felt tears coming out of my eyes (and tried to hurry up and swallow my food.) Then I saw a flash and the waitress and the whole restaurant clapped. The owner came out and congratulated us and thanked Karlos for proposing in his restaurant and gave us a heart shaped dessert to share.

The funny thing was, a man had come in and was sitting across from us with what looked like his first date with a girl. I could tell he was really trying to impress her, but Karlos's proposal ended all of that :)