We met in October of 2015 while we were students at the University of Florida. Hannah was a senior "studying" Political Science and Gabriel was finishing the first year of his PhD. The first time we spoke was via Tinder, a dating app that was popular in Gainesville at the time. We both swiped right and soon after, Gabriel asked Hannah to meet him for coffee. Gabriel suggested Maude’s, a local coffee shop in downtown Gainesville, and Hannah agreed.
Our first date was October 30, 2015. We enjoyed our coffees on Maude’s outdoor patio, and talked politics, religion, and punk-pop music (Gabriel used to be in a band). After we said our goodbyes, Gabriel headed back to his car and put the Maude’s cup in his cupholder...and forgot about it. A few weeks later, he came across it while cleaning his car and decided to hang on to it "just in case".
A little more than four years later, Gabriel proposed on a chilly, but sunny fall day in DC. With the help of a few of Hannah's closest friends, he managed to coordinate the perfect surprise.
Hannah arrived at Constitution Gardens (her favorite spot in DC), expecting to meet a friend before brunch. She was completely surprised to see Gabriel standing on the bridge of Signer's Island (named for the signers of the Constitution). He led her a few steps away, dropped to one knee, and proposed. Through happy tears and surprised laughter, she said "yes!". We spent the rest of the weekend enjoying some of our favorite restaurants in DC, and celebrating with friends at a surprise engagement party Gabriel planned. Hannah's favorite detail? Gabriel brought along the coffee sleeve from our first date.
We want our wedding to be a love letter to Florida, a place that holds so much meaning for both of us individually and as a couple. We both grew up primarily in Florida, it’s where we met, and where we fell in love. Miami is especially important to us - it’s where Gabriel’s family lives, where he first said “I love you”, and where we visited every law school Spring Break to escape the mid-Atlantic’s infamous March weather. Throughout our relationship, it has become a place that symbolizes happiness, love, and family for us. We can’t wait to share that with all of you as we officially bring our families together.
Bienvenidos a Miami!