In the summer of 2019, before my senior year of college, I interned at Clark Construction in DC. Joining the company's intramural kickball team was strongly encouraged for interns and new hires, and that’s where I met Rafael, who was about six months into his career with Clark. He had this charming smile that immediately caught my attention. Whether we won or lost, we'd all head to a bar to celebrate after each game. One evening, Rafael and I ended up talking for hours. When the summer ended, I finished my internship and began my senior year, not thinking too much about Rafael.

Fast forward a year: I graduated, moved to DC, and started working at Clark. On my first day, I was being introduced to my new colleagues when we reached Rafael's desk. Somehow, we were on the same project! As my manager began the introduction, I excitedly interjected, "We know each other from kickball last summer!" Rafael’s response was, “Sorry, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you before.”

Ouch!! To this day, Rafael insists he doesn’t remember me. But there’s a picture that says otherwise!

A year later, in the fall of 2021, Rafael started texting me on the weekends about Alabama football. But he would text my work phone, so I never saw it until the following Monday! Honestly, I never thought much of it. Then in December, our mutual friend (and now groomsman) Antonio strategically planned a night out so that Rafael and I would hang out. We had a blast, and the next day, Rafael asked me out. I said no! We were coworkers, and what if it didn’t work out? That would be so awkward! He was persistent, and I finally said yes a few months later. We quickly fell in love and became each other’s best friends. The rest is history!