We're Getting Married!

November 2016. Danielle started a new job with Las Vegas Medical Group. During her tour of the clinics, she was introduced to the staff at the Youth Clinic, where she met him.... Manuel was in the middle of checking in a patient but when he turned around to say hi, she was immediately drawn to his smile and nerdy look (it was the glasses). When Manuel turned around, he couldn't help but to think about how cute she was. But that was it! They didn't think anything of it... they were just new co-workers. That's all they could be.. right? It took almost a whole year of working the evening shift at the Youth Clinic together, getting to know each other, and realizing that they share a lot of the same interests and have a lot in common, to make Manuel realize that Danielle was someone that he could see in his future. After a few weeks of casual dinner dates, Manuel took Danielle on a bigger date to the International Balloon Fiesta. It was the 14th of October, 2017. After the Morning Glow and Mass Ascension, he asked her to be his girlfriend. With the biggest smile on her face, she said yes! That brisk October morning is when THEIR LIFE TOGETHER began.

July 4th, 2020. Manuel woke up feeling confident and excited! This was the day he would ask Danielle to marry him. The plan was to light fireworks with the kids as the sun went down, then, pop the question! He even had a few aerial fireworks for the special moment. The family gathered up the kids and went to a nearby open space perfect for lighting fireworks. Deep down, Manuel was getting a bit nervous but kept cool. Danielle didn't suspect a thing. The family started with sparklers, but soon ran into a problem.... wind. the wind kept putting out the fireworks! There went Manuel's original plan. What was he going to do now? He had no choice but to go with the flow. They packed up their fireworks and loaded up the kids in the car to look for another safe place to light fireworks. As they were driving around, Danielle came across a facebook post saying that the City of Rio Rancho was putting a show at the Event Center. This wasn't far away from where they were at so they decided to check it out... Cars were parking on the side of the roads in spots with a good view of the sky above the Event Center. Manuel turned down King Drive and pulled off to the side of the road. They pulled out chairs and waited till the firework show began. Nerves were starting to hit Manuel. He couldn't stay sitting. Danielle was completely oblivious to the whole thing. Towards the end of the show, Manuel turned around and reached out for Danielle's hand. He pulled her next to him and wrapped his arms around her and watched the fireworks for a few more seconds. Moments later, he stepped away, got down on one knee and pulled out a little box. For a second, Danielle thought he was just tying his shoes. Then she realized what was happening! With a full moon and colorful fireworks behind him, Manuel opened the box and asked "Will you marry me?" Danielle burst into tears and laughter of excitement and said "Of course I'll marry you!" This night was everything the both of them dreamed of!