Photo by Heather Lanae Photography.
ROCKWALL, TX (Feb. 5, 2026) – Blake and I moved to Dallas on the exact same day — though we didn’t discover that until much later. He came for work, and I arrived from Argentina to study abroad as an international student. At the time, we had no idea how our paths would cross.
When we met in 2018, there was a big language barrier at first as I was still learning English. Google Translate was our lifeline for a couple of months. After I graduated, he proposed and together we discovered Rockwall while searching for wedding venues.
Our wedding plans eventually changed because of Covid, but in the best way. Instead of renting a venue, we bought a home in Rockwall and said “I do” in our own backyard.
Today, we’re raising our two-year-old daughter alongside our two goldendoodles and still grateful for a journey we never could’ve planned, but one we wouldn’t trade for anything.
Submitted by Ani Avetisyan Gruenewald. She works as a Marketing Campaign Manager and husband, Blake, is a Director of Virtual Design in Construction. Photo by Heather Lanae Photography.
Editor’s Note: Each year for Valentine’s Day, Blue Ribbon News asks local couples to share stories of how they met. Publishing their tales of true love has become one of our favorite traditions. This year the response was overwhelming. Stay tuned to our Facebook page as Valentine’s Day approaches. The names of several lucky participating couples will be randomly drawn to win gifts from our local prize sponsors – Culpepper Cattle Co., Dodie’s Cajun Diner, Zanata, Wickland’s Sweet Connection, Lakeside Florist, and Wildflower Wigs.
How I Met My Mate | Love at First Translate: Blake and Ani Avetisyan Gruenewald added by Editor on
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