My Fiancé, the Tico

That's right! I'm engaged to the hottest man in the world. Here, I'll prove it ... 

See?

About him: His name is Alonso and he is all things Costa Rica. 

From music to soccer to patriotic pride, he loves his country and will tell anyone who will listen.  

I once asked him to tell me one thing about Costa Rica that I probably didn't know. Forty-five minutes later I knew that 40% of the country speaks English, Cartago used to be the capital, and a full-on biography of Juan Santamaria.

  About us:  We go to soccer games and dance salsa and drink coffee and cook rice and beans. We take public transportation and fight with rainy season. We celebrate September 15th, we sing worship songs in Spanish, and we drink Cosecha's like it's going out of style. 

Something funny: When Alonso and I started dating, my sister and dad had not met him. They only heard his name from me and talked to him a few times on Skype. Months into our relationship, Alonso was holding my computer when my sister sent me an iMessage saying, "Hahahahahaha! This whole time I thought your boyfriend's name was ALFONZO! I just realized it's Alonso!!" Needless to say, he saw the message and we laughed together. 

To this day: Various family members and friends refer to him as one or more of the following - Lonzie, Alfonzo, Lonny, Fonzy. It's always a good time. 

Back to him: My favorite thing about Alonso is that there's all sorts of Jesus in him. He shows me grace when I don't deserve it and he loves me when I'm real hard to love. He washes the dishes after I cook, he rubs my feet even when his hands are sore, and he takes care of me when I'm sick. 

He writes me songs. 

He is absolutely one of the most humble, selfless people I've ever met and he prays for randos on the street like it's his job. He hears the voice of God so clearly and he follows it. 

He leads me. 

He prays with me at night. He prays for me. He prayed for me - before he knew me. He has a passion for homeless people and he cares about orphans and prostitutes. 

He has quite the testimony of his own. 

He has tattoos. 

He isn't afraid to hug a stinky drunk man on the street and he doesn't back down from fights with the enemy. He knows Who holds tomorrow and he walks around like it. 

My least Another favorite thing about him: He calls me out when I'm sinful. He gives me hard pills to swallow and brings me grape juice (my favorite) to wash it down with. He challenges me to be bigger... to be better... to be more. 

He calls me his favorite Gringa and I call him my favorite Tico. 

I'm Ashli                                                                           and he's Alonso ... 

and together we make #ashlonso.