2020 brought its challenges — and the start of our story.

Katie had just returned from teaching English with the Peace Corps in Costa Rica and was grieving the loss of her father, John. At the same time, Diego was finishing his studies at the University of Minnesota Duluth and starting his career as a software engineer.

We matched on Bumble, but a few coincidences made it feel like the timing was meant to be. Katie's sister, Meg, had interned with Diego at the same company and reassured Katie that he was, in her words, "an outgoing engineer."

As we got to know each other, we discovered more shared connections. Diego grew up in central Minnesota in a bicultural household. His dad, Javier, immigrated from Mexico after meeting his mom, Joyce, while she was studying there. Katie grew up in the Twin Cities, developed a love of Spanish and Latino culture through her studies and time abroad, and has deep roots in central Minnesota through her mom, Nancy.

Those shared ties made us feel at home with one another from the beginning. They reflected many of the things we value most: family, friendship, cultural connection, and a curiosity about the world around us.