We chose October 10, 2025 — 10.10.25 — because the number ten has always felt complete. It represents balance, partnership, and the idea of giving your all — one for the other — every single time. And on a practical level, it just made sense. In the United States, dates are written month–day, while in many other parts of the world, they’re written day–month. This way, no matter where life takes us — whether in the U.S., Mexico, or Cuba — the date will always read the same. It felt like the perfect reflection of us: two people from different places, finding one rhythm that simply fits.

Getting to that day felt like the final countdown to tip-off. Just a few months before the ceremony, Eliecer signed a professional basketball contract in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico — an incredible opportunity he couldn’t pass up. The challenge? His team was already deep into their season, and one of their games was scheduled for 10.11.25, the day after our wedding. For weeks, we hoped something would work out, and finally, on the Friday before the ceremony, his coaches approved moving that game to 10.12.25. That single change made everything possible — our date, our day, and our moment together. The Commitment Day was officially on.

Kara’s dress arrived the night before (because, of course, a little suspense keeps things interesting), but in true Team Quintana fashion, we laughed through the chaos and trusted the process. We needed four local witnesses and chose friends who have been part of our story from the very beginning. The ceremony took place at a beautiful outdoor venue owned by a close friend — intimate, relaxed, and filled with the kind of love that makes everything else fade into the background.

Although we didn’t have our closest family and friends from the United States or Cuba in attendance, we could feel their love surrounding us. What they didn’t know, though, was that we had kept the date a secret. Right after the ceremony, we surprised them with a FaceTime call to share the news — we were officially married! Their reactions, the tears, and the laughter made that moment unforgettable.

Our Mexican tía (auntie) — one of our favorite local taco food stand ladies who has become family — prepared a few of Kara’s favorite dishes, while Eliecer managed to have some of his favorite Cuban foods delivered from Cancún: puerco, tostones, yuca, arroz congrís, and ensalada. The mix of flavors felt like us — a blend of two homes, two cultures, and one very happy table.

We even had a cake — which we accidentally left at home. A friend offered to go back for it, but everyone was having such a great time that we didn’t want them to miss a thing. So, let’s just say Kara enjoyed that cake for the next week (and it was worth every bite).

The celebration was supposed to end at midnight, but, in true Latino fashion, no one was ready to stop. The DJ stayed an extra hour, and when the music finally paused, we all decided to head out to listen and dance to live salsa nearby — the perfect ending to an already unforgettable day. By 5 a.m., our hearts were full, our feet were sore, and our forever had officially begun.

Two days later, Eliecer returned to Culiacán to rejoin his team, continuing a season already in full swing and focused on helping them make a strong playoff run. He’ll be back home in December, and until then, our honeymoon consists of Kara’s cheers echoing through a computer screen as she roots for him and his team from afar.

When we look back on our commitment day, it was never about perfect timing or flawless details — it was about love showing up exactly when and how it was meant to. Every delay, every laugh, every FaceTime, and every slice of leftover cake became part of the story we’ll tell for the rest of our lives.

Now, as Team Quintana begins its forever season, we carry the same motto that started it all: keep showing up, keep playing together, and always lead with love. Because in the end, ten wasn’t just a date — it was the perfect number to start forever on.