Connect How did your love story begin?

I anonymously messaged Torie on tumblr in 2014 and shot my shot! We went to Jr high together, started dating at 18, and have been in love ever since. Before that, born 4 days apart at the same hospital, each with 2 older brothers. Our mother’s birth stone rings boast the same 3 stones both with 3 children born the same months.Our grandmothers raised in the same border town a half mile away from each other, where many Mexican-Americans would move further north to East LA, where both parents met.

What is your favorite memory you've shared as a couple?

If we win we can share the story about how Torie dreamt about exactly how I’d end up proposing, despite my meticulously crafted plans and to as much of my surprise as hers! After 11 yrs together, we are grateful to share so many, what stands out to us is that amongst the many fabulous memories, there are those that so deepen our love for each other-becoming tías together, memories of births, deaths, graduations, celebrations, and support for each other through the impossible and the ecstatic.

What would you do with $20,000?

We have our wedding planned for October 2027 at the iconic Madonna Inn-think Dita Von Teese, meets Art Laboe, meets John Waters, meets Phantom of the Opera, meets But I’m a Cheerleader. Although we got engaged October 2025, we have decided on a long-term engagement to save enough money so we can host a wedding with all of our loved ones. Our wedding, and if we are lucky enough- this $20,000, would allow us to gather with many generations of our beloved family and friends