The Beginning of Us — Ricardo and Ivone Almaguer
In the summer of 2003, Santa Monica seemed to be the center of the universe. The sea breeze brought music from street artists, the sun fell on the pier, and life advanced with that confident calm of those who still do not know that their world is about to change.
That was the year I met Ivone.
She wasn't just beautiful—she had a presence. One of those that make you straighten your back, take a deeper breath and hope not to say nonsense. I saw her, and something inside me said: Pay attention Ricardo. This moment matters.
I invited her to my apartment in Whittier. Not elegant at all—just to watch Amores Perros and drink yogurt in a cup. Simple. Casual. Perfect. She lived in El Monte, I in Whittier, and although it was not far away, they seemed like two different worlds. But when he crossed my door, I felt that the home had arrived ahead of time.
We talked, we laughed, we shared stories that didn't sound rehearsed. There were no masks. There were no poses. Only two people who, somehow, already felt familiar.
That night did not end with fireworks or dramatic statements. He ended up with something better: certainty. A calm and firm feeling that this woman was going to be important in my life.
And it was.
Las Vegas, 2003
A few months later, we were in Las Vegas. The lights shone, the streets roared, and the world seemed wide open. But I only saw the woman next to me.
On September 16, 2003, Ivone said yes.
Yes to me.
Yes to us.
Yes, forever and for life.
It wasn't a big wedding. It wasn't necessary. The moment he said "I accept" became the happiest day of my life. That day I felt that everything I had wanted had finally arrived.
Building a Family
We don't just build a marriage—we build a legacy.
Together we raised four incredible children:
Emmanuel - who with discipline and courage serves in the Air Force
Rickys — number one in spirit, heart and personality
Renatha — strong, bright and full of her own spark
Daniella - equally brilliant, equally loved, the perfect half of the duo
Each one carries a part of our history—our courage, our humor, our stubbornness, our love. They are living proof that two people who met in Santa Monica created something bigger than themselves.
One Chingo and Ten Lots
Through every challenge, every move, every dawn, every sacrifice, a truth has never changed:
I love Ivone a lot and a lot ten.
It is a love that grows, that deepens, that does not wear out. A love that survives, the distance, the deployments, long hours, the upbringing of four children and all the chaos of real life. A love that still feels like Santa Monica in 2003—fresh, surprising and destined to be.
This is our story.
The beginning of the Almaguer Chavez family.
The foundation of everything we have built.
