Iñigo is doing very well, let’s say he has recovered almost entirely. He was declared cancer free in March, that’s when we began planning the wedding again. Now he gets checked every three months just to make sure all is well.

Not at all. This was a test that couples usually go through after many years together, for us it was in October, right after our civil wedding. I can’t lie to you, it was terribly difficult, -she recalls-. My husband said to me, “I understand if you don’t want be with me during this process, it’ll be extremely hard.” I told him he was crazy, that we were sticking together through thick and thin. My husband is the love of my life, so I never doubted it for a second, this was just another challenge in our relationship, it made our bond even stronger.

No, I never really thought of that, I was so focused on his well-being, his recovery was the only thing that mattered to me. To be honest, I didn’t think about our wedding at all. I remained very positive during the whole process, his state of mind was extremely important to me. I wanted Iñigo to see strength in me, this would help him be stronger and give both of us hope to go on. I remained so positive throughout the entire process that I never really though about what could go wrong. I truly believe this helped us achieve such a positive outcome. But let me tell you, the process wasn’t easy at all.

I’m incredibly happy! When we found out he was cancer-free, I said to him, “Now we have to celebrate!” We’re not only celebrating our love with this wedding, we’re celebrating life. I’m ecstatic!

I was brought up in the catholic faith, and celebrating my marriage this way was incredibly important to me. It was also a dream of mine to have my father walk me down the isle and hand me over to the person I would be spending the rest of my life with.

Yes, of course. -She answers laughing.- If God allows it, of course.

Celebrating life with my husband, being with my mother and my father. Having my entire family here with us, and being able to enjoy the people I love, that’s enough for me. And again, more than anything, I want to celebrate life.

It felt different when I met Iñigo. I was already thirty years old and more mature as a person. Don’t ask me why, but I knew I was going to marry Iñigo the moment I met him. I just knew I’d spend the rest of my life with him. It was crazy, we met at a party and since then we were never apart. We were separated briefly when he decided to move to Spain, then he returned to Miami to propose. I think I knew since the very first moment I laid my eyes on him, that he would be my partner for life. The complicity we have as a couple is amazing. We get along so well. We’re incredibly compatible, very different, but the same in many ways.

Definitely! That’s our priority after the wedding and honeymoon. It’s something I really want. I’m almost thirty-five! My biological clock is ticking! I’m dying to be a mother, that’s definitely the next step. God willing, I’ll be in the process of becoming one by this time next year.

I chose the Basílica Pontificia de San Miguel, because of all the beautiful churches in Madrid, this one took me back to my family. I don’t know, it was this feeling I had. It’s a small and cozy church, I love it. Plus its location in downtown Madrid is perfect for all of the guests that came from abroad, this way they can experience this beautiful part of town.

It was quick, I thought it didn’t really matter much what I would wear, -she admits humbly. - I know that many brides spend days or even months looking for their dress. I went to Pronovias and that same day I’d chosen my dress. It was so easy. We had three fittings so it would look perfect on me. I loved the princess style and how if fit my body, it really accentuated my figure. I really like the embroidery, the lace, and the little flower details.

It’s not the same bouquet I’d chosen in the beginning, I changed it yesterday. The first one was made of peonies but when the flowers arrived, they were not at their best because they are out of season. So I went with something a bit more classic, white roses and green.

Iñigo will use the classic gold band and mine will have small diamonds. They were made in Cataluña by the brand Clemencia Peris.

I got lucky there too because it was the first venue I visited. I fell in love with the place the moment I saw it. It’s beautiful, and it has so much outdoor space. It’s perfect taking COVID into consideration. Besides, I like the fact that one of the owners grew up in Puerto Rico.

When I mentioned it would take place in Spain, he though it was a wonderful idea. He advised me to enjoy every minute of it without giving in to stress, and that I should always remember what is most important, celebrating our love.

I’m over the moon. My daughter is one the most important projects of my entire life. Being able to witness and share her dream of getting married and start a family is turning out to be something amazing. I’m experiencing mixed emotions, somehow, I just can’t wait for this to happen. There’s about 50 people that have come from very far, it’s a beautiful moment to reunite so many family members that are here from different countries.

Their wedding and his life is a double celebration indeed. The fact that he’s healthy after being attacked by cancer has brought them closer as a couple, it made their bond stronger. They went through six months of fighting this terrible disease, taking chemotherapy treatments in the middle of a pandemic… It was incredibly tough, but somehow this brought them together even more, and now they’re stronger than ever. The entire family is very happy for them.

I’ve experienced quite a few nerve-wracking moments in my life and I think this is one where I won’t be able to control myself. I recall living such beautiful moments with her… the day she was born, when she turned fifteen, and so many others. Walking her down the isle will be extremely emotional for me, I will definitely be crying. Good thing men don’t have to wear makeup! (Laughs)

It’s more of a small graduation for me. Raising and learning from my three children has been one of the biggest challenges in my life. More than closing a cycle, I think I am beginning a new one where I get to enjoy my daughter as a married woman. I was only fifteen when she was born and had to become a man overnight. I’m looking forward to enjoying this new phase of her life, and the possibility of becoming a grandfather as well. It’s a small graduation for her mother and I, we’ve raised her with good values, she’s proof that we did something right.

You’ll have to ask her. And if that were the case, if that’s what she wants, I’d obviously say yes. It could happen. Why does it always have to be the man who proposes?

I’d certainly love for him to be here, but unfortunately and for obvious reasons we all know, he can’t. I think I’ll have the opportunity to live moments like this with him when he grows up. This is something we’ve had to deal with as a family. Thank God we’re surrounded by love everywhere we turn, there’s an abundance of that for sure.

SOf course, even though I think she’s more nervous than my own daughter! (Laughs)

I don’t know, but I’d love for Valeria to catch it! We’ll see…