This narrative is not only a memoir but also a story: a story of destiny. Justin and Kristin met on October 9^th 2002 at a fraternity party during the University of New Mexico’s (UNM) Fall Break. At this party, Kristin came up to Justin to introduce herself because she thought he was dating a new member of her sorority, who was also her roommates little sister (although Kristin was intrigued and a bit attracted too). However, Justin was not dating the new member, it just happened to be a misunderstanding. When Kristin introduced herself, Justin was thrilled. “How could I not be thrilled? She was beautiful. I thought (and still think) her eyes and smile were gorgeous.” During the conversation about the regular party-type topics, Justin began thinking that he had to see this woman again. “Not only was Kristin attractive, she was intelligent and funny too!” In his eagerness, Justin suggested that Kristin accompany him to the Balloon Fiesta, where he and his friends were planning to go the following Saturday. She readily accepted but in her innocence, Kristin was unaware of Justin’s attraction and just thought going to the Balloon Fiesta would be a fun time. When Justin showed up early that Saturday morning, Kristin looked at the window only to see that Justin was alone. Confused and tired (after all it was 5am), Kristin asked Justin “Where is everyone?” Although Justin’s intentions were pure, only one of his friends actually woke up to attend the event. To complicate the awkwardness of the situation, his friend was married with a baby on the way. By the time the four reached the fiesta grounds, Kristin realized this was no ordinary gathering; Kristin was on a double date! Over the course of the next week, Justin professed his interest in dating Kristin, but unfortunately, his timing was poor. In addition to the misunderstanding with the new member of her sorority, Kristin was graduating soon and was planning to move. “I had a great time, and I thought he was interesting and fun; and although I could converse with him effortlessly, we were in different places in our lives back then. I was just not quite ready for him yet.” Although the misunderstanding and rejection could have made many outsiders believe that any future relationship would be fanciful, destiny had other plans. In those last few months before her departure, Kristin and Justin bumped into each other at various social activities. By the time she left Albuquerque (August 2003), they had become friends.

During the first year Kristin resided in Kansas City, the two of them communicated infrequently, with no normalcy, and mostly by email. Although they were living their separate lives, Justin stored a small dream in the corner of his heart that he would somehow be able to date her. (No, he didn’t think about her everyday, we’re just describing that he would remember his feelings for her time to time.) On the other hand, Kristin was not interested in a long distance relationship. But she was always delighted when she received an email or a phone call, and she could never resist replying or talking for a few hours. During the summer of 2004, destiny intervened again when Justin had driven to a fraternity convention in St. Louis with some of his fraternity brothers. On their way home, he convinced his friends to drive through Kansas City so that he could stop and visit with her. This detour alone added about two hours to the drive, but allowed Justin to visit with Kristin for about six hours. This visit was significant to Kristin, a memory she would treasure because not many of her friends came to visit her while she lived in Kansas City, and yet Justin stopped by just to talk to her for a few hours. “I was impressed; and the most significant part was that he brought a going away gift he tried to give me before I moved. When he gave me that gift I knew he made an effort to come see me, and he planned it out!!”

In the fall of 2004, Kristin quit her job because she was not interested in relocation to Mississippi. She moved back to Albuquerque to take a job closer to her family, but she came home with a chip on her shoulder. “I felt a little defeated. I was disappointed in my previous job--my first real professional job. I was not sure where life was taking me.” Justin on the other hand, could not be more excited that she was coming home. “I thought this was my chance. Destiny was sending her to me!” Despite his efforts to wine and dine her, she was not ready for such a wonderful man. “He planned some thoughtful and fun dates, and I had a great time. But I was just not open or ready for him yet.” They remained close friends, and continued to see each other at social events from time to time. As summer approached, Kristin’s apprehension evolved to excitement. As they got to know each other better, Kristin’s attraction grew, and she looked forward to seeing him. The true turning point of her emotion developed on her 25^th birthday. Justin took her to Santa Fe, where the two strolled through the plaza and ate dinner. “This date was different than the rest. I didn’t feel any pressure; I was comfortable.” That date was the turning point: where destiny became reality.

Kristin and Justin officially started dating on September 2^nd, 2005, and their love has only grown thereafter. Over the next three years, the two made long-lasting memories through their various adventures including a two-week trip to Italy (to meet Kristin’s extended family), multiple trips to Denver to watch Broncos’ games, a trip to Chicago to catch a Bears’ game, and numerous dates within the city of Albuquerque. After three years of love and happiness together, Justin decided to ‘pop the question’ on a special day and in a special way. “Kristin’s favorite number is 27. So, I wanted to make her 27^th year, a special one.” Justin knew that Kristin’s family was important to her, and remembered her mentioning once that she wanted her engagement to be a surprise. To make all these aspects come true, Justin devised a clever plan and presented it to Kristin’s mom, to obtain her approval. Since Kristin’s family usually got together to celebrate birthdays, Justin’s idea was to ask Kristin to marry him in the guise of a birthday party for her. Everyone at the party knew Justin was going to ask the question; that is, everyone but Kristin. On July 2^nd, 2008, the day before Kristin turned 28 and in the presence of her family, Justin asked Kristin to marry him. “I was very surprised. I wasn’t even dressed nice, I had just come from my job working in an exercise lab. And after a few tears of excitement, I said yes of course. I cannot wait to marry Justin.” This is the story of Kristin and Justin up to now. Although it ends here for now, it is simply the beginning of the next chapter in their life; and their life together is far from over…