Eight years ago, Rolando and Guillaume's paths crossed in a serendipitous encounter at a gay bar in Washington, DC. It was a night like any other, yet it would change their lives forever.

Rolando was just about to leave when Guillaume walked in with his best friend for a last-call drink after a concert. As Guillaume entered, Rolando, standing by the bar, gave him “thee” look, catching his attention. Guillaume noticed, walked up to Rolando, asked for Rolando’s name, and then headed to the balcony without sharing his own name.

Despite the late hour and his initial hesitation, Rolando decided to follow him outside. That moment of boldness led to an immediate connection, as they began talking and quickly realized their attraction was deeper. Despite their different backgrounds, they discovered they had a lot in common. Both hailed from families who grew up in rural areas—Guillaume from Mayenne, France, and Rolando from Jalisco, Mexico. They were the first in their families to attend college, leave home to carve out their own paths, and shared interests in politics, music, and travel.

Their bond deepened during a marathon 12-hour date a week later, starting with coffee at Open City Café near the National Cathedral, followed by a visit to the Building Museum, dinner at a ramen bar, a horror movie, and a long, deep conversation about life—encompassing all the things Rolando enjoys (Guillaume is a giver, after all).

Over the past eight years, they've created countless memories together, from attending numerous concerts to traveling throughout Europe, the US, and Mexico. They’re learning each other’s languages (French and Spanish), with some progress being better than others (TBD on the Spanish… 8 years later).

They navigated the challenges of the pandemic, living apart during graduate school, bought a home, and built a life and a special Latino gay community in DC. Most importantly, they’ve grown together and helped each other heal—tearing down emotional barriers from past wounds and growing into their fully realized queer selves. They’ve built a foundation of trust, shared values, love, and understanding.

Their wedding is not just a celebration of their love but a testament to what is possible. It represents a world where two openly gay men can find happiness and live life to the fullest. It's a continuation of the radical act of queer happiness in a world that often tells them they don’t deserve it. This is why living their lives fully and openly, celebrating their journey, and this wedding is so important.