Tying the Knot #26

:Growing together, at their own pace

Yanitzmarie + Asa

From high school sweethearts to building a life in Puerto Rico, their love has grown through a decade of shared adventures.

An ocean-view proposal and an emerald Dawn ring mark their next chapter—bold, personal, and entirely their own.

“We’ve been together ever since, growing up side by side through every stage of life.”

Q. How did you first meet and fall in love?

We’re high school sweethearts! We met in 2015, during our first semester of freshman year, in World History class. Once we started spending time together, we instantly clicked. He would eat lunch with me in the band hallway, play the piano, and help me with my homework (lol). By the second semester, we were inseparable. We’ve been together ever since, growing up side by side through every stage of life.

"We never wanted to rush it; it’s always been about letting our story unfold naturally."

Q. When did you know you wanted to marry each other? Who was ready to tie the knot first?

After graduating from NC State, we decided to move to Puerto Rico to be closer to my family. That decision really sealed it for us. Making such a big move together—and having it go so smoothly—felt like the start of a new chapter. We both knew deep down that this was forever.

I was definitely the one ready to tie the knot first. But since we’ve been together since high school, we’ve always done things at our own pace. We never wanted to rush it; it’s always been about letting our story unfold naturally.

Q: What drew you to HIDDENSPACE? How did you discover us, which ring did you choose, and how does it reflect you or the love you share?

We chose HIDDENSPACE because the designs are so unique and full of personality. It instantly felt like the right fit for us. I’ve never been drawn to traditional styles, so discovering HIDDENSPACE felt like finding a brand that truly matched my vibe.
I sent Asa the website and let him choose, knowing he would find the perfect ring. He chose the Dawn ring with an emerald, and as soon as I put it on, I knew it was the one.
It’s bold, different, and beautifully untraditional. Everything about it feels like us.

"It’s bold, different, and beautifully untraditional. Everything about it feels like us."

Q: Tell us about the proposal and your wedding plans. What made these moments special?

We got engaged at Las Cabezas de San Juan in Fajardo, Puerto Rico—one of our favorite spots! We went on a beautiful hike with a view of the ocean, surrounded by the nature preserve, with the lighthouse in the distance.
It’s always been a special place for us because we love hiking and picnicking there with our friends and family. It was honestly the perfect location. I was completely caught by surprise; he didn’t seem nervous at all, so I had no clue it was coming!

Right now, we’re in the middle of planning the wedding. In true us fashion, we’re keeping it simple and cozy, but still unique! We’ll be getting married on our property in the rainforest of Puerto Rico, surrounded by our closest friends and family—exactly how we want it.

What is your favorite memory together?

It’s hard to pick just one because we’ve shared so many adventures over the past ten years. One that always stands out is our cross-country road trip in 2018.
We spent six incredible weeks camping, visiting loved ones, and exploring some of the most beautiful places in the country. From the Rockies in Colorado to a quiet barn stay in Northern California, it was an adventure that brought us even closer together.

Spending up to eight hours a day in a car together for six weeks showed us just how well we work as a team. Alongside the proposal and all the memories we’ve made over the years, seeing the Rockies for the first time together is still one of my all-time favorite moments.

"The best relationships are the ones where you keep choosing each other, every single day.."

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share? What advice would you give other couples or newlyweds?

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that love doesn’t have to follow a timeline; it just has to feel right.

We’ve grown up together, changed, and built a life that feels like us. That’s what makes it so special.

My advice to other couples would be to take your time, have fun with the process, and never lose sight of the friendship that started it all. The best relationships are the ones where you keep choosing each other, every single day.