It all began at a wedding, a celebration of love that unknowingly sparked the beginning of Vanessa and Jeremy's own. Jeremy stood as a groomsman beside his friend Joey, while at the last-minute Vanessa attended as her friend Christina's plus one. This chance meeting would change their lives forever, as they were immediately drawn to each other. Later into the reception, Vanessa's cousin, Anthony, posed a question that would set the wheels of fate in motion: "Who are you bringing as your plus one to my wedding next weekend?" Vanessa hadn't considered taking a date, but Anthony insisted, reminding her that when she had RSVP'd a plus one was included, so there would be a seat reserved for her and a guest. Considering Jeremy knew the groom and would likely have other friends there, combined with their memorable evening at the Lopez wedding, compelled Vanessa to ask him to join her at Anthony’s wedding. She couldn’t ignore the fact that it was a bit of a leap to bring someone she had only met 7 days prior to a family event, where she would have to prematurely introduce him to all of the family. Yet regardless of the potential awkwardness, it felt like the natural choice. From those two weddings onward, Vanessa and Jeremy quickly became inseparable. Despite the 350+ miles that initially separated them, their connection only grew stronger, eagerly making the trek to see each other whenever possible. By the end of summer 2022, it was clear they were in it for the long haul. Jeremy officially moved back home to the Central Valley to be closer to Vanessa and his family. This solidified their commitment to building a future together. Vanessa found her perfect match in Jeremy, who enthusiastically welcomes every new experience. With that in mind, it took little to no effort for her to persuade Jeremy to join a Portuguese-American dance group with her last summer. This created unforgettable memories, as they danced in the streets of Terceira Island at 2 o’clock in the morning. When their trip to the island drew to a close, Jeremy sealed it with a heartfelt gesture of love for Vanessa and a nod to his deep respect for her family by proposing to her at Porto das Cinco Ribeiras—the village where her paternal grandmother, Filomena Martins, hailed from. They've shared countless adventures, cherished the best of times together as well as supported each other through the hardest of times from the very beginning. Their love story is one of serendipity, some distance, and an undeniable connection that brought them together. They are excited to continue their journey as husband and wife, surrounded by the love and support of their family and friends. Thank you for being a part of their special day and their love story. #MeetTheMcDonalds