EPISODE OVERVIEW: In this special episode, Maria shares the story of her surprise engagement to Jeff after nearly 15 years together! From the unexpected proposal at her sacred tree to reflections on redefining love on their own terms, this is a heartfelt conversation about real love, soul contracts, and why being a "hopeful romantic" means believing love can find you at any age and stage.

IN THIS EPISODE:

✨ The full proposal story - how Jeff carried the ring around waiting for the right moment

✨ Why Maria calls herself a "hopeful romantic" instead of a hopeless romantic

✨ The hummingbird necklace and the sign from Maria's sister

✨ How their love has evolved over 15 years (spoiler: the butterflies never left!)

✨ Redefining what love means outside of society's expectations

✨ The question Jeff asked early on that changed everything

✨ Soul contracts vs. soulmates - and why Maria believes she and Jeff agreed to do this life together

✨ Permission to believe your love story isn't over, no matter your age or chapter

QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE:

"A hopeless romantic believes in one fairy tale version of love. A hopeful romantic believes in many versions of love and that it can work out at any stage, at any age."

"For Jeff and I, we had to redefine what love was for us. Because that's the only way it would work. It needed to come from the only two people actually in this relationship, us."

"Love can find you at any age, in any chapter, when you least expect it. And it can deepen in ways that surprise you when you're willing to keep evolving, keep healing, keep becoming more of yourself."

CONNECT WITH MARIA:

Instagram: @manifestingninja 

Website: www.manifestingninja.com

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• The Brandy Library (in Tribeca, NYC) tell them Maria and Jeff sent ya! 

• Classic romance films from the 80s and 90s (When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail)