In the summer of 2020, Catrina was spending the lockdown at her parents’ lake house in Arizona. One weekend, a neighbor invited his cousin, Derek, to visit from Colorado. Under the July stars, surrounded by friends, family, music, and laughter, the group gathered by the lake to dance.

Catrina’s friend, Hailey convinced her to dance with Derek...even though neither of them actually knew how. What followed was a night full of laughter, awkward moves, and an instant connection.

After that lake trip, Catrina and Derek kept talking, and never stopped. Derek returned to Colorado to finish school, while Catrina moved into her apartment in Washington. They continued dating through college, visiting each other every few months and building a relationship across the miles.

After graduating, they both moved back home. Catrina began her career in San Diego, while Derek worked in Los Angeles. A few years later, Catrina moved north, and the two finally made a home together in beautiful Huntington Beach, California.

Derek proposed to Catrina beside a waterfall in Scotland, completely surprising her. Of course, she said yes.