top of page
María José & Bryan
María José & Bryan
JUNE 21, 2025
Quito, Ecuador
Together, always
Our Love Story
María José and Bryan´s story began in 2015 at Penn State University, where they were both architecture students. Though introduced through mutual friends, their relationship didn’t blossom right away. It wasn’t until the end of spring of 2019 during their study abroad program in Rome that sparks began to fly. After spending the summer apart, their senior year brought them closer. Bryan helped Maria Jose move into her new apartment, and that very same day, they had their first date. As Fall semester unfolded, their connection deepened.
Half way through their last semester, the world changed with the arrival of COVID-19. Amid the uncertainty of lockdowns, Bryan and Maria Jose found solace in each other’s company, their bond strengthening through shared moments of joy in a time of isolation.
Graduation was bittersweet, marked by quiet celebrations rather than the usual fanfare, but Maria Jose joined Bryan and his family to mark the milestone. The summer after college was filled with adventure, from boat days at Conneaut Lake to hiking Mount Nittany, moments that brought them even closer.
Unbeknownst to them, they were about to embark on a four-year long-distance relationship. Despite the distance, they visited each other a few times a year and had the opportunity to travel. Some of their favorite trips over the years were to the Galapagos, Mexico City, and Boston, which only made their love grow stronger. Finally, four years later, Bryan brought Maria Jose back to where it all began—Mount Nittany—and there, with the place that shaped their relationship as the backdrop, he proposed.
Their journey is a testament of love, perseverance, and shared dreams, and they can't wait for what the future holds.
bottom of page