On September 29th, 2017, Juan and I both attended a football game at Sulphur High School. After the game, we were both invited to dinner by friends of ours that knew each other. At this dinner, we met for the first time. Once I arrived home for the evening, I remember sitting across from my mom at our kitchen island and telling her all about this guy I met from Colombia. I was especially impressed by the fact that he pulled my chair out for me at dinner.

After our initial meeting, Juan and I both joined the high school’s tennis team, and it was there that we got to know each other. Juan even asked me to prom at a tennis match. My dad claims that it was at a tennis match that he knew Juan would be my future husband. Juan and my dad met at a match, and my dad immediately said that Juan shook his hand like he was going to marry his daughter someday.

As the end of the school year approached, Juan decided to stay in Lake Charles and attend McNeese State University in the Fall. After a very long summer of Juan visiting family in Colombia, we started our first semester of college together. Throughout our time in college, we fell more in love every day. Juan opened my eyes to the world as we started traveling. In the summer of 2019, I met Juan’s family for the first time in Spain. At this moment I never could have imagined the amazing relationship I would have with my new second family.

During college we took every long weekend we had as an opportunity to explore new cities and decide where we would end up after graduation. After amazing trips to explore New York, Boston, Seattle, and Austin, we decided to move to Austin while Juan pursued his master’s degree.

In July of 2022, we moved here with our dog Chanel and all the excitement in the world! We are now enjoying the challenges of life together. Like when we first met, we are still attached to each other. There is nothing better than sharing hobbies with my best friend. We run, bike, cook, watch documentaries, and even occasionally do Pilates together (this usually takes some convincing). After 6 years of dating, there is nothing more peaceful than knowing I get to spend the rest of my life with my better half.

~ Blythe