Read Angelica’s winning story below!
Nick and I grew up in Houston, Texas. We have known each other since we were in 4th grade. We attended the same elementary school, middle schools, and high school growing up. We even “dated” in middle school when we were in band together. You know how those middle school crushes go. But I like to think that even way back then, we knew that there was something special about each other. I did end up moving away in high school and we lost touch. Not for long though.
We both ended up attending Texas A&M for college. On a campus of over 60,000 students and being in completely different areas of study, we somehow managed to run into each other quite a bit. The first time we ran into each other we had not seen each other for at least three years. I still turn red when I think back on it. I had just finished a biology lab exam and was furiously pedaling on my bike when I saw someone waving at me from the corner of my eye. It took me a bit before I recognized him. It was Nick! He looked quite different since I saw him last and let’s just say, I liked what I saw. I was so taken off guard I nearly ran him over. This allowed us to re-connect. After many study dates (more talking and catching up than studying if we are being honest), evening walks, and movie nights, Nick eventually got the courage to finally admit that he had still had feelings for me over the years and other relationships along the way. No one else had given him the same excited feeling and connection he felt with me. Luckily, the feeling was mutual. In his typical romantic style, Nick asked me out at a nice restaurant where we were greeted with champagne, flowers, VIP seating and a question at the top of my menu: “Angelica, will you be my girlfriend?”. How could I say no, right?!
Fast forward three and half years and we found ourselves as college graduates. I was working full time in Houston at a genetics lab and Nick was all over the country for Army training. We started to feel the stresses of life and were wondering where our relationship would go from there. I joined Nick on a road trip from Arizona to Colorado Springs to his first duty station at Fort Carson. We decided to take it as an opportunity to visit the Grand Canyon and other national parks in Utah. One beautiful day, as we were hiking the Narrows at Zion National Park, he popped the question as we posed for a picture on top of a rock! I was completely surprised (as you can see in the picture)! I was completely blown away. It was perfect timing for us and will always be one of the best moments of my life.
I moved to Colorado Springs in August of 2016 and we got married at the end of September. I absolutely fell in love with Colorado Springs because of all of the amazing outdoors activities and spectacular views it has to offer. I cannot wait to get back there after I graduate! Since I moved to Houston last August for school, we have tried to keep the flame burning strong despite the distance. I would be so appreciative if you could help me make sure these last couple days we have together will be extra memorable for him to think back on when he is missing home!
