ABOUT
If you're interested in our story and want to some background about us, then enjoy! If you know either of us or both of us, then you know we're pretty open, straight forward, and enjoy a sense of humor that others may not appreciate. While we have these traits in common, we have many characteristics that are unique to each of us. Get to know us better!
THE BRIDE
THE GROOM
Thais Garcia
Born in Cuba a few minutes after her fraternal twin sister, Terina, Thais lived in the heart of Havana until she was nine years old. Wanting a better life, Thais's father Silvino, and mother Nuirka, moved the family to Tenerife, Spain, in the Canary Islands where she enjoyed her early teens. At sixteen, the family moved once again to Miami, where Thais has happily called home for the past eleven years.
Currently, Thais is studying at Florida International University in the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program where she will graduate in August 2017.
Hans Welch
Born in Seoul, South Korea, Hans was adopted at the age of three by George and Ynskje. He grew up in Miami along with his seven brothers and sisters, Tamara, Tetske, Tatiana, Leander, Alexander, Tristan, and Leihina. At an early age, Hans discovered his talents in the fine arts and studied art, architecture, and design, and getting his degree in Architecture from FIU.
Currently, Hans is a design consultant and works independently in the field of graphics, web design and development, and 3D visualization.
THE BRIDE
Thais Garcia
Born in Cuba a few minutes after her fraternal twin sister, Terina, Thais lived in the heart of Havana until she was nine years old. Wanting a better life, Thais's father Silvino, and mother Nuirka, moved the family to Tenerife, Spain, in the Canary Islands where she enjoyed her early teens. At sixteen, the family moved once again to Miami, where Thais has happily called home for the past eleven years.
Currently, Thais is studying at Florida International University in the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program where she will graduate in August 2017.
THE GROOM
Hans Welch
Born in Seoul, South Korea, Hans was adopted at the age of three by George and Ynskje. He grew up in Miami along with his seven brothers and sisters, Tamara, Tetske, Tatiana, Leander, Alexander, Tristan, and Leihina. At an early age, Hans discovered his talents in the fine arts and studied art, architecture, and design, and getting his degree in Architecture from FIU.
Currently, Hans is a design consultant and works independently in the field of graphics, web design and development, and 3D visualization.
HOW WE MET
OK, CUPID! YOU WIN!
I'm often asked how we met and my first instinctual answer is always, "Online." I then follow that up by explaining how I acquired her on sale, free shipping, with 30 day money back guarantee. After all, that's how internet shopping works, right?
It obviously didn't go down like that. It was actually love at first site. Growing up in the age of the Internet, more and more people were trying the online dating. It seemed as though the dating pool was larger and you were specifically meeting people who were looking to date. What online dating taught us was that we could profile. We each had our preference: hers being Asian and mine being Hispanic.
So after some friendly banter we finally decided to meet. Derailed by my wit, charm, and dashing good looks (not necessarily in that order), little did she know she stood no chance. Who am I kidding, we all know it's the girl that chooses the guy. I got lucky.
THE PROPOSAL
NEW YEAR'S EVE 2015
First, let me preface by saying that this story starts with Thais knowing that I had a ring to propose with. I'm extremely proud of my aesthetic taste, however, she has to wear the ring forever, so it should be something she's happy with. She just didn't know when it was going to happen (and neither did I until about two weeks before it happened). This probably isn't normal for most people, but we tend to do things a bit differently, and I guess the proposal is no different.
So a week before the end of the year, we decided to take the rings (yes, there was more than one, but that's a whole other story) to get fitted and appraised. At the jeweler, we were told that the work would take approximately two weeks. "Shit," I thought. I was planning to propose in a week. After we left, I sneakily called the jeweler and explained my predicament. He told me he'd have the rings sized by the 30th, and I could pick them up and drop them back off later for the appraisal. What an amazing jeweler. If you're ever in need, go to Turley's in Pinecrest.
Our amazing friends, Alex and his wife Claudia, were coming into town for the new year celebrations, so I enlisted their help with the proposal. I had several different scenarios spinning in my head, and I finally decided to create a video from footage of our vacation in Europe. I figured it would be a surprise because this was a video that I was supposed to have made awhile ago (procrastination is the fault we put off correcting). Alex scoped out the lounge in the hotel for me and we had the video ready in queue which would be displayed on the several televisions and a projector in the lounge.
We decided the proposal would best be done before the new year festivities so it wouldn't be chaotic, so we headed down to the lounge around 8PM. While we poured some champagne, the video started playing on the various televisions. Thais was a bit shocked and confused, to say the least. At the end of the video, there were a few messages and Bruno Mar's, I Want To Marry You started playing. This was when I dropped to my knee and asked.
The rest of the night was enjoyed with old and new friends and we started the new year as an engaged couple.
