This is the story of two souls that collided in the most beautiful way, having had crossed paths several times before actually meeting, to then fall deeply in love with one another and take on the world together...

 

This is our story. 

​

Mario Alberto Viveros Espinoza, son of Juan and Josefina, was born in Modesto, California. Alex Thomas Gray Kulick, son of Jonathan and Monique, was born in Royal Oak, Michigan. Both grew up in loving homes and decided to pursue their careers outside of their hometowns. 

​

We met in Goleta, California, while attending UCSB for the sociology PhD program, even if we didn't realize it at first. During the summer of 2015, Mario had attended UCSB for a summer research program and studied at the RCSGD where Alex worked, but they never ran into each other. He also was invited to attend a seminar in professional development, when Alex was enrolled in the course, but Mario decided not to walk through the doors at the last minute... One year later, they were both enrolled in the Sociology PhD program, without knowing, until they met at the Imperial Bar in Goleta, CA; where they discovered for the first time their unwavering attraction to one another <3. 

 

 Mario was living with Tigro (Bengal-mix cat) in student housing, and Alex lived off-campus nearby. After meeting, we went on as many dates as we could while balancing school and work. We travelled together to Los Angeles and Philadelphia, and up and down the Central Coast of California. We were spending so much time together, we decided to move in to an apartment in downtown Santa Barbara. Our partnership grew stronger, as we started working together by teaching a guest lecture on Beyoncé for Dr. Jenell Navarro at Cal Poly. And we had plenty more adventures, going to Oregon, Modesto, San Francisco, Michigan, and Montréal. After adopting our fur-daughters Nina (Russian blue cat) and Moana (Chihuahua-Dachschund mix), we outgrew our small apartment and moved to Santa Maria. 

​

Mario proposed to Alex in Los Angeles in front of his brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Chelsea Kulick. Recreating one of their first dates, they were at the Griffith Observatory. Despite the rain, Mario found the perfect spot under the stars in the museum inside. A few weeks later, Alex proposed to Mario in one of their favorite breakfast spots Pismo Beach (Huckleberry's)  in front of his sister, Maria Viveros, and mother, Josefina Espinoza.  

​

From driving cross-country twice, traveling the globe a few times with all of our conference travels and plane trips, and celebrating our anniversary in "Hell's Kitchen," our adventures and our life together has reminded us to persevere, celebrate, celebrate, and love each other to the moon and back. It is with our wholehearted experiences, thoughtfulness, care, and family that we embark on the journey and commitment of marriage. With the support of out parents, siblings, extended family, and friends, we are proud to become Mr. and Mr. Espinoza-Kulick!