We began on a warm Cinco de Mayo night, at a local Mexican dive that only the locals truly understood, the kind of place that wasn’t much to look at but had an undeniable charm. That night, the air was filled with the sounds of laughter, sizzling fajitas, and a live mariachi band. We were both 22 and had no idea that we had already spent years in each other’s orbit—attending the same elementary and middle schools—without ever fully crossing paths. It took this small-town Mexican bar, where you could get the best margaritas in town, to finally bring us together.

The connection we felt that night was instant, like an invisible string had finally drawn us close after all those years. And maybe it was destiny, or just a coincidence too perfect to be anything else, but from that moment on, we were inseparable.

Nine years later, so much has changed. We’ve moved across the country to sunny California. Kelly, who once made a passing comment that night about wanting to further her education, has completed her master’s degree and is now working toward her doctorate. Jared co-founded with his high school friends, focusing on fiber optics—something that feels like a metaphor for how we’re all about connections now, in every sense of the word.

Looking back at that fateful Cinco de Mayo, we can’t help but marvel at the twists and turns that brought us here. Each of you have supported us every step of the way and it’s an honor to have you join us on the biggest day of our lives.

Let’s get married!

Cheers!

J & K