Scott and I met online while he was in Costa Rica for an internship and I was in Los Angeles. He's from the Netherlands, and I’m Mexican-American. After a month of daily phone calls, we met in person and instantly felt a spark. Just two weeks later, he asked me to be his girlfriend. We started a long-distance relationship, with Scott visiting me in LA and me flying to Europe. Despite the challenges, our bond only grew stronger. In March of this year, he proposed and I of course said yes!!!

I was traveling to Italy for a school and work-related fashion trip, completely focused on the experience ahead. Without me knowing, Scott secretly gathered all my travel details and hotel information. To my surprise, he showed up during the trip completely unexpected and incredibly romantic. That week turned into something so much more than just work and school it was filled with love and unforgettable memories. His surprise made the trip feel magical, and it reminded me just how perfect he is.

We would use the money to help build our future together—putting it toward buying our first home and planning our wedding. It would be a meaningful step in creating a life we’ve dreamed about and worked so hard for.