How we met
Phat and Mariella’s story began at the University of Florida. Both heavily involved in the Asian American Student Association on campus, their social circles often overlapped—familiar faces, but not much more than that. It wasn’t until 2019, a little further into their college journey, that something shifted and they truly connected.
Fast forward to...
After a few dates, it didn’t take long to realize they had found something worth holding on to. What began as a simple connection quietly grew into something deeper: a relationship rooted in laughter, shared experiences, and a friendship that felt like home.
The Proposal
Nine months into their relationship, Phat and Mariella stepped into a long-distance chapter, one of love’s greatest tests. While Phat began his military service in South Korea and while Mariella started nursing school in Philadelphia, they learned to bridge time zones and busy schedules with patience and unwavering commitment, growing closer through every challenge along the way.
After five years and thousands of miles between them, their journey came full circle. Beneath the skies of Porto, Portugal, Phat proposed—a moment that made every mile that separated them before, worth it.
Now, Mariella and Phat are ready to close the distance for good and begin the rest of their lives together.