In August 2013, Aida moved from Peru to Chicago to pursue a master’s degree in Public Policy at The University of Chicago. She arrived in Chicago not knowing much about her new home away from home; however, she quickly fell in love with the city, its beautiful skyline, and Lake Michigan (however, she could do without the winters). David returned to his hometown in the fall of 2009 after spending a year in El Salvador. After four years of working as an organizer, he also began his master’s in Public Policy at The University of Chicago in August 2013.

Aida and David met that same year, but it wasn’t until April 2014 that David asked Aida on their first date. With his fluency in Spanish, interest in Latin American culture, his sense of humor, and, of course, his dancing skills, Aida knew this was a very special guy. Though Aida’s passion for baking cupcakes and cooking Peruvian cuisine were immediate positives for David (though not so much for his waistline), he knew he had found someone special when he could talk about politics for extended amounts of time without Aida knocking him upside the head (although she says she was doing it internally). They would soon both fall in love with each other and their shared passions for public service, friends, and family.

After dating for a little over a year, they moved in together in June of 2015. In August 2015 they made an addition to their family when they adopted their first child…their dog, Paco. Little did they know at the time, Paco would be the one to help David propose in August 2016. Aida couldn’t say no to such an amazing guy (and beautiful dog!).