Our story begins in the Summer of 2020. We first locked eyes in one of the few places people were allowed to congregate — out in the middle of the ocean, aboard the Fernandez family boat, La Pinta. Even then, surrounded by loud music and friends who are now legally family, to us there was no one else on the water. We were both hitting major milestones that summer: Sofia finishing her undergraduate career, conquering the MCAT, and earning her acceptance into medical school, while Chris was achieving his own goal of breaking into his career as a medical device rep. Something in the universe knew we needed to find each other right then.

A summer filled with live music from the O2 band set the stage for what came next.

When Sofia organized a family New Year’s ski trip to Utah, Chris — without an invitation — somehow miraculously weaseled his way onboard. One totaled snowmobile later, the foundation of our relationship had officially been set. Sofia’s beautiful positivity had a way of only allowing good things into her orbit, and Chris was determined to be one of them.

2021 brought new beginnings and a beautiful challenge. Sofia headed to Tampa to begin her journey as a physician, Chris planted roots in Miami launching his new career, and together we began our most important role of all — parents to our daughter, Camila. What followed was four years of a love that refused to be defined by distance. Through countless texts, late-night phone calls, FaceTimes, and four-hour drives up and down I-75, we grew not apart, but closer. We learned how to be great parents, a great physician, and a great businessman — all at the same time, all for each other.

Those four years tested and shaped us. There were hard conversations and growing pains — and there always will be — because we are two people who refuse to let the other settle for anything less than their best. The basis of our relationship has always been, and will always be, a foundation of honesty and the relentless drive to bring out the absolute best in each other. Through every curveball life threw at us, that foundation held firm.

The four years flew by and the results speak for themselves. Sofia matched into her #1 residency program and Chris earned President’s Club honors as a top salesman in his company. We celebrated these individual accomplishments knowing we had achieved them together. And now, at last, Dr. Cartaya and Mr. Ortega are under the same roof, ready to take on whatever comes next — side by side.

This December, we are making it official. We cannot wait to celebrate with every person who has been a part of our journey — the ones who cheered us on from afar, who showed up for us during the hard stretches, and who helped make us who we are. Thank you for being here. The adventure continues, and we’re just getting started.