Our Story

Our Story...

Her Story

Maura was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and moved to Miami, FL with her family when she was 11 years old. Her super good looks come from her cute parents (Mirna & Ramon), who now live between Miami and the DR. She is the middle sister to Mirna and Melida who both live in Miami, FL. Mirna is married to Igor Kosoy and (much to his credit) Maura is now the proud aunt to their beautiful kids, Jacob Matteo (3 years old and the "ring bearer") and Mila Juliette (just a few weeks old). Maura didn't go too far from home and graduated from Florida International University with a degree in Hospitality Management in 1999.

Maura can say hello in several languages (French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Samoan) and now knows how to count to 10 in Mandarin. She's pretty smart, but leaves most of the math problems to Chuck. She is a Gemini so Chuck is in for quite a mercurial ride.

Maura likes to keep things interesting with her workout, not really committing to one sport (lazy). She has recently been more consistent with her Bikram yoga, which she is starting to enjoy as she sees improvements in her form.

His Story

Charles aka Chuck was born in Anshan City, China and moved to Pittsburg with his family when he was 11 years old. His good looks come from his adorable parents (Lian Ying and Lina), who now live in Orlando, FL. He is an older brother to Frank who lives in Kansas City, MO with his girlfriend Shirley. Chuck is a proud Gator; graduated from the University of Florida in Gainesville with a degree in Construction Management right before he moved to Miami in 1999. Chuck later went back for his MBA.

Chuck actually speaks a bit of Spanish (with a Medellin accent), which he picked up from his melting pot of friends and trips to Colombia and Dominican Republic. He is one smart cookie and a very thoughtful and caring person. Chuck is a Leo and thinks he's the King of the jungle.

Chuck is an avid crossfit-er (frequent injuries) and recently started biking (falling on his butt). Staying fit and healthy is important to him (doesn't want to get old).

We met on a Friday night in May 2011. We were both at Sugarcane restaurant in Midtown for happy hour (separately). At one point we walked past each other and made eye contact. I thought "this guys has some swagger" and he said he never saw my face (if you know what I mean). A bit later he realized he knew the girl I was with and concocted an evil plan to conquer me. So he came up to say hi to our mutual friend Melissa Glazier (you'll meet her at the wedding - cute single blonde!) and we were introduced. About 2 weeks later on Memorial Day (yes a Monday night), we went on our first date to Gigi's in Midtown.

Our relationship started out kind of slow. Chuck finally asked me to "be his girlfriend" (yes, I need things to be very clearly defined - I don't like to ASSume) at his friend's wedding on February 11, 2012. In his very sweet way, he gently told me that he had a whole bunch of girls in line waiting to date him if I was not serious about him...but that if I was serious, he would like me to be his girlfriend (I can't even type this with a serious face right now but...true story). So of course I said, are you breaking up with me or asking me out? And when the fog cleared, I said yes.

Then on my birthday in June (if you're following the timeline - this is almost a year later), he finally said those magic words - I couldn't believe it - but it was the sweetest sound (at first he said it in a text, but immediatly followed by a phone call)...I knew he meant it and...so did I.

At this point, things kind of picked up speed and in October of that year we decided to co-parent. REWIND...Chuck came into the relationship with a little baggage...a 100lb. Canary Mastif named Lucky. I never pictured having such a huge pet, but Lucky and I are inseparable now. The 3 of us are inseparable... I love that (not so tiny) furr ball so much more than I ever imagined... and Lucky too.

Then, on February 16, 2014 - wait for it, wait for it -------- he popped the question! Totally unexpected - ambush attack! Chuck planned a post-valentine's day valentine's celebration for my Mom, my sisters and I. He had a little sneaky partner in crime, Mr. Igor Kosoy. So we had a really nice Sunday at the Kosoys', bar-b-q, drinks, great company...just relaxing all day, while the boys cooked for us. The day ended with some lobsters on the grill, dinner under the stars and some smores by the fire (the calm before the storm). As we were headed inside the house, he proposes a toast "to my parents and family and to the most beautiful girl in the world" (that's me of course), etc,... etc,... See he's done that toast before, so it didn't surprise me (or anyone else in the room). But then he went on and on and in his signature confusing wit (which I now totally get and love), he said "I don't know if I can live the rest of my life with her, but I know that I can't live without her" (you figure that one out) - and that's when it hit me... He got on one knee and brought out the ring box! I was in shock - in disbelief and it took me a minute, but I did say YES (or we wouldn't be in this situation)...and as they say... the rest is history...

But we have so much more history to be made... and on March 8, 2015... you'll be part of our story too.

TO LOVE!

XOXO

Maura & Chuck