As we celebrate our first wedding anniversary this week, I want to take a moment to share our story—a journey that’s been filled with joy, growth, and resilience.
A Digital Spark: December 2020
Andres and I first connected on a dating app in December 2020. We chatted back and forth for a while, but eventually, I felt overwhelmed by the influx of messages from others. With that discomfort, I decided to delete the app altogether, leaving what could have been with Andres in the past—or so I thought.
A Second Chance: June 2021
By June 2021, I felt more ready for a serious and stable relationship. With some encouragement from friends and a more open heart, I redownloaded the dating app. To my surprise, there was Andres—still active on the platform. I reached out, and in his first message back, he didn’t waste time: he asked for my number to make sure we wouldn’t lose touch again.
On the app, I had a tagline that read: “Only message me if you speak Spanish and dance bachata.” I wanted someone who could connect with my love for the Spanish language and share my passion for dance. Andres confidently assured me he had checked both boxes. He’s Venezuelan, so the Spanish part was a given. As for the dancing? Let’s just say he wasn’t entirely truthful…
A Dance to Remember: Our First Date
When we met in person, Andres came clean about his lack of bachata skills. Although he didn’t know the dance, he was more than willing to try. Our first date turned out to be a whirlwind of fun. Despite the fib, his enthusiasm and willingness to learn melted my heart. I knew there was something special about him.
Not my photo! This was taken on the street at New York
Building Our Life Together
Over time, Andres and I joined dance teams, blending our newfound shared interest with lots of laughter and stumbles. While he ran four marathons, I cheered him on from the sidelines, filled with pride.
But like every relationship, ours faced challenges. Early on, my battle with depression often cast a shadow over us. Being around me was difficult, and we both knew it. We made a proactive decision to seek couples therapy, learning how to communicate and support each other through the rough patches. The therapy made a world of difference, giving our relationship the strength it needed to grow.
A Test of Love: 2023 and Our Small Wedding
In 2023, life threw us a curveball. I got very sick, and the impact on our relationship was undeniable. Andres was there for me every step of the way, but we both felt the weight of my illness. Once I began to regain my health, we realized just how short life is. Without hesitation, we decided to get married.
We chose to have a small, intimate wedding in my mom’s driveway. It was a rainy day, but with a tent overhead, it didn’t matter at all. The rain almost added to the beauty of it, as we promised to stand by each other no matter what storms came our way. It was the happiest day of my life.
One Year Stronger
Now, we’ve crossed the one-year mark, and I can’t help but feel grateful for the journey we’ve shared. Andres is kind, genuine, and loving—everything I could have ever hoped for in a partner. I truly hit the jackpot.
A Celebration to Come
Since our wedding was small, we’re now preparing for a larger celebration, blending American and Venezuelan traditions. It’s exciting to think about how these traditions will come together, and I’m looking forward to sharing that experience with our loved ones.
The Takeaway
Our journey hasn’t been without its challenges, but each obstacle has only brought us closer. From reuniting by chance to dancing through the hard times, we’ve grown in ways we never expected. Here’s to one year down, and a lifetime to go.
Happy anniversary, Andres! ❤️
