Our Story
A Story Only God Could Write
It wasn’t your classic fairytale—more like a sitcom-turned-romantic dramedy, where laughter and serendipity intertwined. She was a whirlwind of determination—a working supermom juggling kids, carpool lanes, and career demands with a blend of chaos and grace. He was the picture of serene independence—an eligible bachelor with a meticulously organized pantry, a perfectly timed gym schedule, and a heart that, while open, was discerningly guarded, waiting for God’s relationship timing. The last thing he wanted was to rush into a relational rupture and a complex story dynamic she brought with her—or so he thought.
They’d known each other years before, colleagues with lives that barely intersected beyond polite conversations. When they caught up after years apart, it started innocently enough—a phone call to exchange life updates. But then came Valeria’s disarming statement:
"I want to get to know you—not as Dr. Scott, but Pierre."
Silence hung in the air like a suspenseful beat in a well-written drama. Finally, he replied cautiously, "We already know each other, don’t we?"
"Not really," Valeria countered. "I know Dr. Scott. I want to know Pierre."
He wasn’t sure what to make of it, but something in her directness intrigued him. The conversation meandered through hobbies, goals, and life updates until she dropped her second surprise:
"I’ve always wanted to learn salsa dancing. Will you teach me?"
He stammered, suggesting studios he knew, but she persisted with a playful smile in her voice. "Why go to a studio when I’ve got you?"
Reluctantly, he agreed. "As friends," he reasoned to himself. But as they danced her joy, even in imperfection, was magnetic —her steps at times clumsy, but her laughter uncontainable—something shifted.
"I’m terrible at this," she admitted, breathless and grinning. "But I love trying. Growth takes practice, right?"
He tried to keep his heart in check but found himself charmed by her joy and her resilience. Dancing became a metaphor for their unfolding connection: navigating missteps with grace, finding a rhythm within each other’s lives, and learning to trust the process. There is a phrase that says you can’t hold back the tides any more than you can hold back a sunrise. Something was about to change.
A Hike, A Revelation
Months later, their growing friendship—and her determination—led to an invitation to join a group for a “fun, light hike” in Yosemite’s Falls Trail. He said yes, imagining a leisurely stroll with a group. The group never materialized—it was just the two of them. The hike, 7.2 miles, 2,700ft elevation gain, was an eight-hour odyssey of rugged terrain, dizzying cliffs, and breathtaking views.
As they climbed, their conversation deepened. She shared her journey as a mother of four, her battles, her triumphs, and her unshakeable faith in God. He opened up about his life, family, work, his passion for music, health, and community, and his resolute reliance on God’s guidance.
They had nearly completed the trail when he noticed something very unusual, she looked like she’d just stepped out of a photoshoot.
"How are you not even sweating?" he teased, incredulous.
"I’m just in better shape," she laughed. “Nope” he laughed!
Her resilience struck him—not just physical stamina, but the unyielding strength of a woman who had faced life’s storms with grace. It was then he realized: there more to this story, and a lot more beauty to life in knowing her. You can’t hold back the sunrise!
The Proposal
Months of shared moments followed—a celebration dinner for her passing her board exam, late-night donut runs, impromptu adventures. With every laugh, every shared prayer, and every opportunity turned triumph, Pierre felt his carefully curated world shifting. He saw God’s fingerprints in their journey, weaving their lives together in ways he couldn’t have orchestrated.
One morning, under the golden sunrise of Lake Como, Pierre orchestrated his most daring move yet.
“Let’s take a picture,” he suggested.
​
She was eager to start their day but humored him, setting up the camera. He then suggested she should check the lighting just to make sure they could get a great photo to commemorate the moment. While she adjusted the settings, focused on setting up the camera, he knelt behind her, holding a ring that shimmered in the dawn light.
When she turned around, her breath caught.
"God brought us together in a way I couldn’t have planned," he said, voice steady despite the pounding of his heart. "This is the love and the life I want to build—with you, rooted in faith, with God at the center, leading us and the kids. I love you. Will you marry me?"
Tears welled in her eyes as she whispered, "Yes."
The Beginning of Forever
Their union wasn’t a collision of two worlds but a woven tapestry of purpose and love, a testament to faith and God’s timing. She brought life, joy, and growth to his ordered existence. He brought stability, reverence, and unwavering support to hers. Together, they danced through life—sometimes clumsily, always with grace, humor, and appreciation—proving that love isn’t about fitting someone into your life but discovering someone who you can build a life with in the most unexpected, beautiful ways.
And in that, they found their forever.
