It all started on Easter Sunday—with a simple chat on the Bumble Dating App that quickly turned into something extraordinary. A week later, they met in person at Tropical Smoothie in Washington, DC. What was supposed to be a casual meetup turned into hours of conversation. They bonded over family, college, faith, culture, and, of course, their shared love for reality TV. That day, a genuine friendship began—one that would soon blossom into something more profound.

They knew they had something special early on, but it became crystal clear during their first trip together to Charleston, SC, for the 4th of July. Marcus introduced Julieth to his family and friends, and seeing him through the eyes of the people who loved him most confirmed what she already felt. She enjoyed being part of the family celebrations, which often included amazing food, karaoke, dancing, and laughter, especially karaoke, since Marcus' family is musically gifted. Watching Julieth warmly embrace his world and speak so highly of his family made Marcus realize this was the real thing.

A few weeks after that memorable 4th of July trip, Marcus was invited to Julieth’s parents’ home in Rockville, MD, for one of their weekly Sunday family dinners. The atmosphere was relaxed and full of warmth, though Marcus admittedly felt a few nerves walking in for the first time. Those nerves quickly faded once he met her family—her parents and sisters welcomed him with kindness and ease. As everyone gathered around the dinner table, the family began singing a prayer in unison before the meal—a heartfelt tradition that caught Marcus off guard at first, but one he instantly admired. That moment, simple yet sacred, reminded him of the strong family bonds Julieth was raised in. For Julieth, seeing Marcus fit in so naturally and make everyone feel at ease confirmed what she already knew—he was the one.

Over time, their partnership grew through countless shared experiences—from navigating a 40+ minute commute to see each other every weekend (Annandale to Hyattsville love!) to cooking meals together, late-night wine runs, traveling, and discovering new Korean BBQ spots. Whether they're watching their favorite shows, going to concerts, or cheering at live games, they always find joy in being together.

On their first-year anniversary, Marcus planned a surprise photoshoot at the Wharf in DC. As they posed on the pier, Marcus looked at Julieth and said, “I have one more pose.” She braced for the next snapshot, only to see him drop to one knee. Shocked and speechless, she forgot to respond at first—until Marcus gently asked again and reassured her that he meant every word. With a full heart (and a cheering crowd in the background), Julieth said, "YES!"

Together, they're building a life rooted in peace, joy, and legacy—surrounded by love, laughter, and the people who mean the most to them. Some of the best things about their relationship are that they are accepting, kind, and supportive of each other. They view their relationship as exciting, adventurous, and peaceful, among many other things. And they can't wait to begin this next chapter, side by side.