This love story is sad from the start. Maribel ran away from her Florida home to be with Julio in New York. Her family blames him for her not going to college and they remain icy towards the couple.

“Some people say we’re too young to be married. We’ll be happy forever,” Maribel says.

My heart is already breaking a little.

Maribel’s parents are coming to New York (the Hamptons, maybe?) to see her graduate, but they aren’t staying for the wedding. Over the phone Maribel pleads with her father to come. He says no, but at least shows a sense of humor.

“What do you think, I’m bringing a shotgun? Like they’re going to let me carry that on the plane!”

At first I was a little upset with her parents for being so unsupportive, but they kind of have a point. Maribel ran away from home, she didn’t say goodbye, and she never got to use the college funds that they saved for her.

“He’s never going to accept us,” says Julio, who is completely crushworthy.

“He will eventually,” she responds.

I’m always curious about the finances of these young couples, and we’re soon given some insight. The next day Maribel is driving her friend. They stop at a gas station and fill up only $2 worth of gas because it’s all the money she has.

It’s two weeks before the wedding and Julio is still worried about Mari’s parents.

“They’re going to say I ruined your life. It’s not easy, but you’re happy. Or I hope you’re happy.”

She goes to meet her parents. It’s the first time she’s seen them in 9 months. Her mom, sister, brother, and finally her father all come out of their van and lovingly hug and kiss each other. This episode is really making me a little misty-eyed.

At dinner, Maribel’s father (who looks like an attractive mix between Cheech Marin and Enrico Colantoni) is clearly not happy and recounts the time Mari was eight years old and said she would never leave him. Ouch dad, that’s a low blow.

He then tells her that he has good and bad news. First the good: he’s coming to the wedding. Yeah! But the bad news is that the rest of the family can’t come because of finances, and I imagine they’re not going to bust open Maribel’s college funds on principle.

Julio works for a construction company, and his coworkers lovingly rip on him for getting hitched so young.

It’s graduation time, and the “Dad Cam” shows a radiant Maribel in her maroon gown. Afterward Julio’s family throws her a BBQ with a trampoline and kabobs. Maribel offers her dad a kabob, and before he say’s it’s overcooked before he even took a bite. He then takes a bite and says it’s overcooked. This comment really hit home for me because I was a waiter once and I would always have jerk costumers who would do this and then wouldn’t give me a tip. Jerks.

After the party the parents get ready to go home, and they tell Maribel that they hope she keeps going to school and makes something better of herself. At this moment I notice that Julio’s shirt says “Relaxxxx just trust me.” He’s Amazing.

The next day Julio suggests that he plays soccer with his friends the day after the wedding. To sweeten his case, he says it’s because Mari always nags him to stay fit. No way says Maribel. “I’d rather you fat and ugly and with me on Sunday.” Good girl.

Witnessing this exchange was the moment where I thought that they could really make this relationship work.

Maribel’s sister Crystal comes over to help her with the wedding, and they talk about the situation. Mom was really depressed when Mari ran away and cried every day. Dad’s getting over it, but he still thinks Julio encouraged her to do it.

“He’s really stubborn; he’s a guy. Time will tell.”

To prepare for the wedding, the two lovebirds practice salsa dancing. Sooooo cute!
Apparently Mari’s father is an excellent salsa dancer, and Julio wants to impress him. Sadly, he’s a slow learner.

The night before the wedding, Maribel and Julio make touching confessional videos.

“I’ve always wanted to marry my first high school true love,” she says.

“Tomorrow will be the happiest day of my life,” he says.

The next day everyone is getting ready for the wedding. Julio is putting on his shirt.
The boy is definitely NOT FAT. Mari’s mom calls her and cries that she’s sorry she can’t make it, and her dad finally admits that he would have been sorry to miss the wedding. He walks Maribel down the aisle and she looks amazing. They are pronounced husband and wife.

The reception ends uneventfully, which is kind of “duh” given they’re under drinking age. The newlyweds come home, and Julio endearingly carries her across the threshold. Please do not disturb.

“We’re are own family now,” they say.

Cut to the end. Maribel and Julio are now on the phone with dad to tell him some big news, and the show leaves us on edge.

“Do you want to hear the good news or the bad news first?”