OUR STORY

Christina and Carlos' story began with a few fortuitous swipes on the Hinge app, two Hungry Ghost lattes, and a stroll through Prospect Park on November 4, 2023. Christina was a native Brooklynite, while Carlos had just barreled his way to NYC in an RV from California. 

For him, it was love at first sight—something about her felt different. Was it the two cats? The cross-stitching? The true crime podcasts? For her, he was just another fish in a sea of NY transplants, likely to swim away without a trace. But he was persistent, and she was intrigued. 

That first date led to another: vegetarian sushi (he initially booked an actual sushi spot, not knowing she didn't eat seafood - womp womp). Then a behind-the-scenes tour of Wicked on Broadway. Skating under the Brooklyn Bridge in the winter rain followed (not the brightest of ideas, but hey it was fun). And in the darkness of the play Sleep No More, they held hands for the first time. 

In the months that followed, they built a rhythm together—weekend runs (for coffee!), quiet evenings with her cross-stitching while he teleconferenced with California, binge watching a lot of things (he had to catch her up on the Star Wars saga, in "machete order" minus the sequel trilogy). He met her cats. She met his endless enthusiasm for Broadway shows and Oscar-nominated films. They laughed a lot. They talked about everything. They traveled too (see some adventures below). Slowly, then all at once, it became clear: this was it.

So, on a snowy morning by Lake Toya in Hokkaido—with a ring tucked inside a tiny pumpkin carriage—he asked, and she said yes to being each other's happily-ever-afters. It was a proposal worthy of a fairytale. And somewhere in New York City, four cats were quietly approving—with naps and disinterest.

Who knows what else life has in store for these two (and their merry band of felines)? Whatever adventures lie ahead, one thing’s for sure: with enough lint rollers, good coffee, and each other, they’re more than ready to write the next chapter—together.