FAMILY STAYCATION AT WE-KO-PA RESORT CASINO

Its been a few weeks since our staycation at the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, and Atlas keeps asking if we can go back to “We-Ko-Pa-Pa!” where our family enjoyed an unforgettable experience. Here’s a glimpse into our delightful itinerary and the fantastic time we had and Phoenix’s first Casino and new fam fav and Finding Arizona FIND.

Thursday, Check-in and Property Tour - Our adventure began with a warm welcome and an effortless check-in process. We all arrived as a family, with my parents visiting from San Diego. We thought a suite could accommodate some bomb babysitters for Atlas, making it a perfect setup. After checking in, we were greeted by Gail Manginelli, who took us on a fascinating tour of the property. Gail’s insights made us appreciate the resort's unique charm, and we were especially impressed by the resort's ties to the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.

Pool Time! Next, we hit the pool, our favorite spot at the resort. Atlas, our little fish, loves the water just like his mama! The waterfalls were a big hit, and the pool depths were perfect for a casual cool-off or a full swim. It was the ideal way to start our staycation.

7 pm - Dinner at Ember - Jose and I had the pleasure of enjoying a date night dinner at Ember, the resort’s signature restaurant. We were treated to shared bites from the kitchen and a welcome glass of champagne to kick off the night. My favorite part was the piano player who rocked the evening with fantastic tunes. It was a lovely way to wind down and connect with out our extra co host.

Friday am Early Morning Dip - The next morning, the family started our day with a refreshing dip in the pool, being the first ones in to watch the fountains turn on. It was a serene and magical experience.

Breakfast at Ahnala - Before our podcast recording ,Jose and I got to enjoy a nice breakfast at Ahnala. Breakfast is my favorite and the Starbucks coffee was exactly what I needed. We stuffed ourselves again and enjoyed a producer prep conversation before our interivew.

9 am - Podcast with Liz Norton - We then recorded a podcast with Liz Norton, the Acting Marketing Director of We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort. Jose, as the host, led a wonderful conversation where Liz shared fascinating stories about the resort. Her personal anecdotes and genuine passion for her work added a special touch to our conversation. You can watch the full episode HERE.

11 am - Massages - After a busy morning, Jose and I treated ourselves to a relaxing one-hour massage. The skilled therapists worked their magic, melting away our stress and leaving us rejuvenated. It was the perfect way to conclude our staycation while Atlas, Papa and GG got some fun suite time in. You have to SEE the vlog to see what we walked into

Hotel Atlas" was a vibe! Atlas strutted around with a straw in his stuff, danced up and down the elevators, and snacked his way through the days. His joyful energy was contagious and added an extra layer of fun to our stay. The overall family feel of the resort was fantastic. Everyone had a great time, including grandpa, who hit his favorite game and cashed out as a winner. Bingo!

Until next time

XoXo

Britt

BABY MOON + 1ST YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY TRIP

Jose and I were set to celebrate our first year wedding anniversary, but I am also 26 weeks pregnant. So we decided to take a baby moon and a wedding anniversary trip at the same time. For those that don’t know- a baby moon is a trip where new parents take a vacay together to enjoy their time together before the baby comes. We did however take our fur baby, Winter and we were so glad we did. 

During the pandemic we didn't want to travel too far, or require a location that we would have to get on a plane, so I pitched the Central Coast of California. It is where I went to college and where time “SLO”s down. San Luis Obispo and the surrounding area is filled with breathtaking beaches, vineyards, green landscape and of course amazing beef. 

We started off in Pismo Beach, then up to San Luis Obispo and finally ended up in Morro Bay. I’ll be sharing where we stayed, what we did and most importantly what we ate. You have to visit this gorgeous area and be sure to check out some of the recommendations we have. Can’t wait to go back in another 10 years, but with our growing family. 

PISMO BEACH

Where to Stay

We picked the Ocean Palms Motel. It is pet friendly and walking distance to the beach, shops and restaurants. They have beautiful, spacious rooms, a comfortable bed and upon arrival the room was sanitized. They have a pool, but we spent most of the time at the beach. Its a 2-3 block walk to anything.

What to do? 

The beach is right there! Tourists were lining up early for parking spots on the same street of our hotel, but we were lucky enough to just be able to walk . A lot has changed in the last 10 years I was there. The pier is filled with outdoor entertainments from jungle gyms, a slide, cornhole, and plenty of outdoor tables for seating. Restaurants and bars popped up and beautiful street art fills the alleyways. There are plenty of photo ops and a huge stretch of beach to be able to enjoy, but still keep socially distanced. 

Where to eat? 

Splash Cafe- where else would you dine when in Pismo? I don’t eat seafood, but I do eat clam chowda. Crowds line up day and night for this award winning dish and it didn't disappoint. Joe got the fish and chips and loved every crunch. Plenty of places feature oysters on the half shell - which are caught locally in the area. For breakfast though, you have to check out Surfside Donuts. The menu changes daily with specialty donuts like animal cookies, maple bacon and cookies cream. Don't forget the fritters- so delicious. There will be a line and they do sell out so line up early. 

SAN LUIS OBISPO

Where to Stay

This college town sIts inland from the touristy beaches and is a short drive from Pismo to the South or Morro to the North. We chose to stay at the beach and travel to SLO- Most of the hotels in the area accommodate prospective students or parents of attending students. If you want a special stay, the Madonna Inn is a short drive from SLO and has amazing decor and themed rooms. They are not pet friendly so we opted for an AirBnb a little north of SLO and instead just spent the day exploring the downtown area and campus.

What to do? 

Starting off in downtown, you can park anywhere and explore the streets. Shopping is plenty- from mom and pop shops ( sadly, a lot are now closed down from the pandemic) to your well-known brand stores you can find everything you need within 3 blocks. The food is great and restaurants, for the most part, have accommodated to outdoor seating. Tucked behind the streets you can find the San Luis Obispo Creek which is very peaceful and gives you a break from the “city life.” Don’t forget about Bubblegum Alley. Tucked away in the heart of downtown, decades of gum is stuck to the walls of a narrow alleyway. It is nostalgic for those that have attended school in the area and a sight to see for tourists. 

Next, we explored the college campus. Cal Poly got some major upgrades since I attended. Beautiful buildings, fancy student living and dining centers and new roadblocks to accommodate pedestrians. We explored Orfalea College of Business, where I spent many days and nights and then north of the campus took a hike to the Architectural Graveyard. This hidden gem is a nice long hike through Poly Canyon. You reach a large field filled with horses and amazing lifesize structures built by students them selves. We got some incredible drone shots and hiked back. The downtown streets, campus and the Poly Canyon hike was all dog friendly and wore us, and Winter out. 

Where to eat? 

For breakfast I highly recommend Louisa’s Place. We didn't go this time, but from what I remember and smelled as I passed by it is an incredible home cooked breakfast and brunch. The line was around the block for tables, but well worth the wait. We build up an appetite for Firestone Grill- the best tri-tip sandwiches in the area. The burgers and chicken tenders are good too, but when in Rome… We also opted in for some onion rings and they were delicious. Half for now and half for the later- the meat is so tender and juicy and the BBQ sauce is the perfect combo of sweet and tangy. I would also recommend Woodstock Pizza if you have a craving for pizza or are accommodating a large party. Also, if you didn't get to go to Pismo for chowda, there is another Splash Cafe location in SLO where you can get your fix. 

MORRO BAY

Where to Stay 

AirBnbs are the way to go. You get the privacy and amenities of your own place, plenty of parking and you can accommodate small to large travelers. Check in and communication was easy with the app to our host and the place was beautiful, spacious, well decorated and had a comfortable bed and couch. We did have to drive to get to the beach, but it was under 3 miles. 

What to do?

To the south is the marina featuring the famous Morro Bay Rock. To the north you can find miles of sandy beaches including where Winter had her most fun, a dog beach. This off-leash beach allowed her to chase waves and birds, run in the sand, and interact with other four legged friends like her. The fog was heavy and dense most of the trip and when I was hoping it was would burn off by morning, it actually stayed and cooled down the whole trip. One morning we took a drive to Montano De Oro- a state park featuring sand dunes, beaches and plenty of hiking and biking trails. We saw tons of wildlife - turkeys, deer, horse and cattle. Aside from more amazing drone shots, we took some spectacular maternity photos that we can treasure forever. 

Where to eat?

For breakfast/brunch we found this amazing place- Carla’s Country Kitchen. Call ahead to get your name on the list to cut back on the wait time. They have plenty of outdoor seating to accommodate parties of all sizes and are dog friendly. Their food was to die for. Delicious scrambles, hash and home fries was what we indulged in, but their pancakes, waffles and muffins looked just as good too. We are definitely returning back here on our next trip. For dinner we wanted to try a local pizza favorite- Pizza Port. We ordered to go and enjoyed a fire in our AirBnb, but the restaurant was beachy and stylish and accommodated outdoor seating too. The cheese was fresh mozzarella and you could taste it came from some happy cows. 

BONUS- STOP IN SOLVANG

The drive home allowed us to pass through one of my other favorite little towns- Solvang. Known for its Danish-style architecture, this amazing town features some great food and sightseeing. We stopped for breakfast at Mortensen’s Danish Bakery and had a cream cheese and chocolate almond danish. So buttery, light and flavorful- it was the best danish I have ever had. The entire city is also pet friendly with plenty of water bowls and treats given out by many business owners. After driving a few blocks to take in the architecture, it was back on the 101 to head home. 

I know this was a lengthy breakdown, and I still probably missed out on a few details, but we at least have these amazing photos and memories to look back on and share with our baby boy to come. He was there with us from the 8 hour car drive to the 8 hours of carb eating. I know he is going to love the beach, like his mom and his furry big sister. I can’t wait for family vacations just like I was blessed to take with my family growing up and the photos and stories that will come from them.

Once the Vlog is done, I will post it here.

Thanks for following along.

XoXo

Britt

ACEVEDO ADVENTURES: HONEYMOON IN MEXICO CITY

Were back from our honeymoon- or luna de miel as we learned and we are ready to share our Finding Arizona experience in the one of the largest populated cities in the world. Our trip was short and sweet but we covered everything we wanted and more. Well be divulging all the deets from our three day two night stay in this beautiful city during a phenomenal part of the year: Dia De Los Muertos.

Why Mexico City?

Jose and I didn’t “plan” on honeymooning for time, budget and various other reasons. Honestly planning a wedding, designing and constructing it ourselves in our backyard took priority as it should. Briefly, we talked about taking a trip to San Diego maybe a trip up the coast, but nothing was for sure. But, in January of this year I wanted to surprise Jose with an amazing trip we deserved. I have traveled to Mexico many times but only the beaches. On the bucket list has always been experiencing Dia De Los Muertos in Mexico City since before Coco and before Spectre. To me a honeymoon seemed like the perfect time to check it off the bucket list. I am very comfortable flying domestically in Mexico. A few years ago the City of Tijuana Mexico built a border bridge for travelers using the Tijuana Airport from San Diego. For a small fee you have speedy access across the border through customs and through duty free get to enjoy the domestic prices of flying in Mexico.

What to pack? What to Wear?

I looked on blog after blog of what to wear in this colorful city and got so many mixed reviews. Then, after stalking the weather reports showing thunderstorms and rain we packed accordingly, but never once used our umbrella. Words for the wise: anyone traveling in October / November bring moisture wicking material. The humidity was high for us Zonies and although we tried to dress in layers we regretted most materials. The only other major item I was thankful for packing was walking shoes. Taking the perfect insta photo may require a H2T looks and I was nervous I didn’t pack any “cute” shoes but but the end of the trip looking at my filthy Nike’s I was thankful I had them through the dirty streets and muddy parks. For the festival I took a flowy black mid length dress but it was covered in jacket layers. For the bike ride I wore jeans that were too big for my britches and I wish I would have just worn leggings. For the flights I had my neck pillow and a soft, small blanket to remind me of home- the best thing I packed.

What to do?

Again, we researched. We asked friends, family, neighbors, hell I even put up an Insta Story suggestions box. The night before we made an itinerary based on the neighborhoods we would be visiting, a AirBnB Experience we booked and of course the museums and monuments we had to see. I won’t include it but if you want the play by play email me and I’ll send you our doc! Instead heres our Day in the Life in Mexico City.

Cuauhtemoc

I would consider this old mexico city. Its historic Aztec then Spanish now Mexican rule is seen throughout this neighborhood. Our AirBnb was perfectly located here. Meters from Avenue Reforma (the main road to take to the city square) it was quiet enough to get some sleep but also 3 minutes walking distance to tacos. We walked to Zocalo saw the Catedral Metropolitana  and the National Palace and a few more government buildings. In preparation for the holiday big stages and alters were being erected but of in the streets many families already started blessings and sharing their loved ones in pictures from film to gigantic bean mosaics. My favorite was Avenida Francisco I. Madero where people crowded the walkway but this time in costume, face paint and (of course) an ear of corn smothered in Mayo, cheese and chili. We stopped to get a full face paint and my night was made.

Coyoacan

The next morning was the only activity we had “scheduled.” AirBnb features experiences in the area you are traveling to and we took full advantage of the Frida VIP one! It started with a bike tour around the neighborhood. We learned it was the first original capital and saw a church from 1520 La Iglesia de San Juan Bautista. We biked through the Hacienda de Cortes, cobblestone streets, “Avocado Alley” and ate churros and drank Atole a drink made from corn. After dropping off our bikes the group walked through an indoor market where we stopped for aguas frescas and tostados. Finally we were off to the Blue House. Our VIP experience allowed us to skip the line, something we would highly recommend. Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera lived in the famous Casa Azul and presently the house serves and a museum and a personal inside look at how they lived, worked and played. My favorite was the bedrooms: the day bedroom where the mirror hung above her bed to paint on her casts and the night bedroom which featured her ashes. After taking a million photos and wandering the courtyard we were off for some ice cream- made from the Aztec marigold fower Cempasuchitl seen throughout the holiday.

Roma

This neighborhood is the boujeist in the city. The restaurants, bars and even architecture have a different look and feel. It is not the place to wander the streets and jump from eating and drinking. I was recommended to visit antique stores and see street art but they were few and far between. We did however see the fountain featuring a replica of Michelangelo’s David at Plaza Rio de Janeiro surrounded by hundreds of year old trees. Because of the holiday a beautiful offenda for our furry friends was set up and being admired. We were told about the best taco shop in the city and found it to be very close to this area so we walked the 7 minutes and can agree. They were bomb. Taqueria Orinoco is authentic. Dont expect asada or adobada instead, trumpo, bistec, and chicharon. The variety of salsas were so good too I wanted to take them as souvenirs. On our walk home we discovered an almost glow in the dark bar serving Pulque. This drink was on our list too! Coming from a kombucha lover this is how it was described online but we describe it as egg white consistency with your flavor of choice: pina, melo, jamaica, etc. I ordered a 40 ounce Michelada and enjoyed every sip.

Anzures

Our final day we had to see two things in this area: Bosque de Chapultepec and the Museo De Anthropologia. After grabbing capuchinos, again, from Cucurucho (we had to go back) we ubered to Chapultepec. The park was gorgeous- peaceful and almost fantasy like with the early morning fog and 1700 acres of trees. But the museum was breathtaking! From the towering fountain when you first walk in to each exhibits’ thousands of artifacts we wish we could have spent all day there. After grabbing a Guajolotatamal (Torta de tomal) and an uber it was time to head back home.

Other things to know:

Cellular data and talk and text on our American plans did not get us an data in the actual city but the entire city has free WiFi! Yes, you read that right. You may have to login every neighborhood but being able to call an Uber or look up walking directions to a new spot was

Your American Dollars are not any good you must exchange- but remember it costs more to buy a dollar than sell it.

If you want to go back I am so down! I hope you enjoyed this guide. You can watch the video version here.

XoXo

Britt

TWENTY-FOUR HOURS IN TUCSON

Tucson has always been one of my favorite travel destinations in Arizona. It is often overlooked in comparison to Sedona, Flagstaff and obviously Phoenix, but any chance I get to travel south I want to extend the experience. This past weekend we took a twenty-four hour trip to the dirty T, first it was for our Book Club, then we feel in the love with our AirBnB so we maximized the trip as semiprofesional tourists.

Our morning of exploring started with breakfast at the 5 Points Market and Restaurant featuring local and organic products, I mean of course we are going to pay a dollar more for a local cage free egg. Duh! After treating ourselves to brunch and balancing 3 cups of coffee with a ginger beet juice we were off to explore Historic Fourth Avenue: The Heartbeat of Tucson. Featuring vintage clothing and furniture shops, food of all sorts and artwork decorating the streets this neighborhood is a millennials paradise for photos.

One of the place that we historically had to take photos next to was the Tucson Postcard Sign. Painted in February 2017 by Victor Ving and his girlfriend, photographer Lisa Beggs this iconic piece can be found behind the Miller Surplus building and it worth the hunt for the photo shoot.

Before heading back up north, you must head south of Tucson to visit the gorgeous Mission San Xavier del Bac. Founded in 1692 by Padre Eusebio Kino[1] in the center of a centuries-old Indian settlement of the Sobaipuri O'odham this castle in the desert is a must see! We arrived mid Sunday afternoon just before a rainstorm and the contrasting dark clouds surrounding the white building was stunning. You have to walk the grounds and feel the 350 year old spirits. Not sure if it was the energy of the historic site or the fast moving clouds but we could feel it was time to head out.

Last stop on the trip was for snacks! Not road snacks, but grocery shopping at the famous Alejandro’s Tortilla Factory: a Southern Arizona tradition since 1980. We picked up some warm delicious bolillos, fresh marinated carne asada and sweet mexican pastries. This bodegas is off the beaten path and the street signs measure in Kilometers so you know flavors are real.

This is not our first or last trip to Tucson, we just like to prove no matter if you have 2 hours or 2 weeks you can experience the Old Pueblo the FInding Arizona Way! Safe Travels.

XoXo

Britt

THE BEST LITTLE AIRBNB IN TUCSON

Tucson, AZ is just a short drive from Phoenix, but completely another world. For Sun Devil’s it is almost forbidden territory, but for desert dwellers it is a hidden gem. Quick day trips to Tucson was the usual agenda for us, but this time Jose and I wanted to take a mini vacay and extend out trip in the dirty T.

I quickly started looking up AirBnB.com for our trip. I didn’t want us to stay in a hotel with hundreds of other people seeking privacy. Browsing through most of the AirBnBs I avoided any couch crashing opportunities because we wanted a space of our own. Then we found The Desert Studio and I fell in love.

This well designed space was the first thing that caught my eye. Upon our arrival, every expectation was met. This space felt particularly warm and full of love. Maybe it was the blush colored linens and art but it was a photographer’s and instagrammers dream. So of course we spent some time capturing the best elements of the space.

First, the location of the house was prime! Located in the lovely Highland Vista Cinco Via neighborhood in Tucson, it was a 25 drive from our book club meeting near Marana (see previous post on the Book Club we joined), but less than a 10 minute drive to the Uof A campus and Historic Fourth Ave. The space a had a private entrance and everytime we pulled into the driveway it felt like we were coming home.

Second, a space must serve purpose. The studio is well equipped with many amenities. (Mini -refrigerator, microwave, Keurig coffee maker, TV, and Wifi.) But our favorite use of the space was the record player. It was set with classic albums to enhance the experience. There is no better sound than a needle hitting the record and hearing that crackling spin.

Lastly, bring on the accessories! Need a good selfie mirror?. Want to relive eighth grade English class browsing J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye? Dreamed of taking a photo in a Peacock wicker chair? Continuing the idea of functionality and purpose, each decoration enhanced the everyday experiences of conversation, reading and or sharing a meal at the quaint table for 2.

If you are headed to Tucson, AZ you have to book this place! Looking to get out of town and experience a true AirBnB then reach out to Lauren And Kyle at The Desert Studio.

Safe Travels.

XoXo

Britt

STAYCATION- POINTE HILTON SQUAW PEAK

The more I explore Arizona, the more I fall in love with it. Sometimes exploring is only 16 minutes from your house, but it feels like hundreds of miles away. Staycationing has become a popular trend and I understand why all the hype! Over the weekend Jose and I had the pleasure of staying at the Hilton Pointe Squaw Peak with endless amenities and all the chances to relax.

The Pointe Hilton was an older resort, with Spanish charm and filled with lush vegetation. It is tucked away in the Squaw Peak Valley and surrounded by mountain peaks. Throughout the property you can find several water features leading you to various pools, restaurants, and activities. We lost track of how many great photo ops were around with the perfect lighting and the perfect backdrops.

We stayed in a pool suite and took advantage of the views and the size of the room. It had the comfiest king bed dressed in clean white down linen, a private patio, and a separate living room with a queen sofa bed. Central air throughout the suite allowed us to also escape the triple degree heat outside and snuggle in the big comfy bed!

Room service was what I was most looking forward too. What’s more romantic than breakfast in bed? After sharing buttermilk pancakes and building our own omelets we rested a few more hours before the fun! The food was warm and tased just like home. Plus the coffee was strong and the pot seemed bottomless. I felt bad leaving my dishes at the door but it was encouraged..

We couldn't wait to visit the water park and the mini golf course and we were thrilled to find that our room had four passes, so my parents, visiting from San Diego became our plus 2!

It reminded me of my childhood vacations in Palm Springs or Arizona when we could only complete a few holes before needed to take a dip in the pool to cool off. It is amazing to think that these favorite memories are ones I am still looking to relive as an adult: sunshine and swimming!

Time went too quickly and soon it was time to turn in our towels and keys and check out and head back to reality, Escaping 16 minutes away overnight was much more than it sounds. We appreciate the Hilton Pointe for letting us escape our minds for 24 hours.

HOMETOWNS

Last week we took another trip to my hometown of San Diego, CA. Escaping the triple degree heat to Diego is norm in July for us Zonies, but what some might not know is we were headed to a Summer tradition- OTL! 

OTL - Over The Line - Is a three man baseball game and the World Championship takes place on Fiesta Island in Mission Bay and has been for 65 years. I have been attending for 12 years and Jose has joined for 2. One side the Pacific Ocean, One side Mission Bay, and water all around.  

As much as we enjoy the sport and follow certain teams each year we primarily go for the camping or glamping. We claim 2 RV spots 100 yards from the shoreline and sacrifice showers for sand and sun.  Once a year we spend 3 days tanning and playing yard games and 2 nights entertaining everyone with light up boccee ball and campfire. When were too tired to stand we blow up an air matress and sleep under the stars. 

The sport itself is simple and over 50 games go on at once but after 3 innings theres a winner and loser and between the jello shots and clever team names everyone is there to have a good time. 3 rules - No Babies No bottles No Bowsers. We rep our favorite team - IB scoreboard and are there to cheer them on, but back at our campsite we are know for our late night shennanigans.  

With about 12 of us on the site we make sure we always have good food and drinks on hand at all times. This year's hit was Philly Cheese steaks and Mexican Candy Shots!  For entertainment we kept the party alive with washers and an adult tricylce. But the big hit, as mentioned above, was the light up bocce ball!     

During the most recent episode of The Bachelor Becca visited her top guys' hometowns and met the fam bam. And although this was not Jose's first OTL or first time in the Hometown or first time meeting the fambam this event is something raw and after this he is saying "Lets do the damn thing." 

MEET THE FOCKERS

San Diego was the scene for a 2018 remake of Meet the Fockers staring the Acevedo Family and the Johnson-Dolan Family. A tale of two families spending a weekend experiencing each other's lifestyles while their offspring begin to plan a wedding.  

Unlike the 2004 classic movie, our parents had met each other prior to the weekend retreat, but for only a few hours. My parents were visiting Arizona for a weekend and we were invited to a "Meet the Parents" BBQ in Peoria. They immediately clicked and it was hard to separate them. 

After staying connected on Facebook our families needed a more in depth get together since Jose popped the question. What better way to realx and let loose than a weekend in San Diego. 

3 days & 3 nights in America's Finest City. My parents live 1 mile form the Pacific Ocean and with an itinerary of brunch cruises, Mexico border trips, and yard games it was set to be the best trip ever. 

And it was. We went to the dentist: no cavities, extra guac. We went on the cruise: flowing champagne and harbor tours, yes please! We played Washers till we found a champ: Congrats, Tony! 

But the never ending Wedding Questions hurt my head. "When's the date? Where? What do you mean its not a destination wedding?" I am ready to go to the courthouse and call a taco truck for a backyard party, but Parents are not ready to hear that. 

This weekend brought our families closer together, but me further a part from wanting to "plan a wedding." Help! 

HOW HE ASKED

He knew for an entire year when, but not how. I knew for an entire month if, but not when.

In December of 2017 America and Jose were celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary and the whole family was to be in attendance. Cousins, brothers, aunts, and uncles were to fly to San Juan, Puerto Rico to celebrate the original love that brought their family together. We bought our plane tickets a year in advance and that is when he knew, this would be a perfect opportunity to bring more love into his family. 

About 1 month before the trip, Jose and I were returning from a late night food run and he dropped something from his pocket while reaching for his keys. The noise was so delicate and metalic so I picked it up and mentioned he had one of my rings. He nervously answered he must have been playing with it and picked it up on accident. 

About a week before the trip, my business partner and best friend demanded I get my nails done before the trip. So when I put 2 + 2 together........ #iknew

The entire flight his stomach was a nervous wreck, but I thought normal for him. The day of we had an argument, but I thought its just me bring pre-mensies. Saturday, Dec 16, 2017 was the day to celebrate 50 years of marriage be renewing vows at the Catholic Church, then family photos on the beach.  After photos Jose and I took a long walk on the beach that made my first day butterflies of seeing this tall, handsome, tan man for the first time come back all over again. "That can't eat, can't sleep, reach for the stars, over the fence, world series kind of love." 

We took a limo ride from a Puerto Rican catholic church to a private beach. I ran to the sand to look for shells and when the rest of the family arrived I grabbed the camera to take photos. Before I knew it Jose's dad, grabbed the camera from me and I was swept away on the last single walk of my life. 

It all happened so fast....He asked me to make him the happiest man ever and marry him. He got down on one knee, 100 yards away from his entire family, 1 hour after his grandparents re-expressed their ever lasting love for one another, and I said "Of course!"