It all started in 2015, when we were accepted to the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL. Igor, from Vinhedo, SP, and Rafa, from Curitiba, PR, were ready to start this new phase of their lives, far from home. At the beginning of the year, while preparing, Igor found Rafa in a Facebook group for freshmen. He decided to send her a message, but Rafa was a bit skeptical. She didn't know if Igor's profile was real or fake, since he looked so much older in the photo, which confused her. But, despite this first impression, we started talking more and more and soon realized that there was something special there. And it turned out that Igor wasn't any older and, in fact, he was really cool!

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We met in person for the first time on August 7, 2015, during orientation week. And it was on August 21 that kissed for the first time. Since then, we have never been apart. Despite this, our first official date only happened in October at the Hard Rock Café. A few months later, on January 15, 2016, at Bahama Breeze, Igor asked Rafa to be his girlfriend, and that was how our story officially began.

 

Since then, we have had many incredible moments together. We’ve had countless trips to Universal and Disney in Orlando and traveled to places like Las Vegas, Seattle, Washington, Vancouver, and Breckenridge. In 2021, our families came together for a trip to Rio Grande do Sul, where we spent the day wine tasting. It was a time of great joy and celebration with the people we love most.

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Over the years, we have discovered what true companionship is. We spent nights studying together during college, master's and doctorate, always supporting each other through each challenge. During the pandemic, we learned even more about the importance of being there for each other, even with our families so far away. We also love going to the movies together, playing board games, chatting, discussing our projects and exploring new restaurants.

 

The proposal happened on December 6, 2023, on the suspension bridges of Capilano Park in Vancouver. On March 16, 2024, we got legally married in a small ceremony and took another important step in our story. During this time, we graduated from college in 2019, completed our master’s in 2021, and are on our way to finishing our PhDs in 2025. We are also starting our own company, combining our passions into a new life project.

 

We are very happy to be able to share this journey with you, who are part of our lives and our story.