OUR STORY

Wedding

How did Lau and Burg meet? Did they have to date long distance? How did Laura persuade Burg to run a marathon? What is Laura's favorite fruit? Does Burg like pickles on his sandwiches?
Find answers to these and other important questions!

CHAPTER 1: How everything started

We met in 2017 when I (Laura) moved to Brazil for a super cool job (consulting) in a huge city, São Paulo, where I didn't know anyone. Following all the recommended advice and best practices, I decided to date a guy I met in my first work project :)

Burg was the smartest, funniest guy I had ever met, everything around him just became easier. I started the interaction with a short sentence: "If you teach me Alteryx, I will teach you Spanish". I did learn Alteryx. But unfortunately, Burg's Spanish is back to where he was before he met me, but we have a lifetime to change that.

In our early days as a couple, we explored some shared passions. We traveled together to the North of Brazil, Campos de Jordão, and also to Argentina (for my birthday). We also discovered that we are both hyperactive travelers. We love to get up at the crack of dawn for sunrises, we avoid crowds by visiting sites at ungodly hours, we refuse to be trapped in guided tours because we like to move at our own pace, and we prefer long hikes, walks, and runs as a way to get to know a new place. Some things have changed, but these are still true today!

Burg introduced me to the vegetarian/vegan world in a very subtle way. He shared his knowledge, and after doing some research, I decided to try my best and follow a plant-based diet. We're not 100% plant-based, but you probably know that it's a fun game for us to find the best plant-based food options around the world!

Feb/2018: Our first Carnival together!

Apr/2018: Dressing up for Burg's graduation

Dec/2018: Burg's first visit to Colombia and meeting Lau's family

CHAPTER 2: Mid-way adventures

We decided to apply for an MBA! I (Laura) was sure I wanted to do an MBA, and Burg (as always) joined me in the adventure.

The days preparing for the MBA were long, as we woke up early to study for the GMAT and worked long hours at our very demanding jobs. Although it was hard work, I remember those days with a light heart because we had each other, and we always found ways to make the study hours more entertaining.

In the middle of the application process, and to add a few more stories to our lives, Burg and I spent six months apart. He went to work for Bain in San Francisco, and I decided to do an externship at a nonprofit leadership high school in Johannesburg, South Africa. Aside from the 10-hour difference, the difference in our lives during that time couldn't have been greater.

Still, we found ways to keep each other in the loop by leaving voice notes at the end of the day. And as the old saying goes, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, our relationship grew stronger after those months apart.

Aug/2019: Burg visiting Lau in Johannesburg, South Africa

Jan/2020: Lau visiting Burg in San Francisco, US

CHAPTER 3: MBA Life

After a rocky start due to the Covid pandemic, which included moving back to Curitiba to live with Burg's mom, applying for a student visa in the UK (Burg), and a return flight to Colombia (Lau), we moved to Boston for the best two years of our lives.

The MBA was an eye-opening experience for both of us, we discovered new passions, I ran my first marathon (after 5 years of putting it on my goals for the year and failing to even try), Burg became our home cook (one of my favorite memories from the MBA was coming home to a nice meal prepared by him). We also started thinking about how we wanted to give back to the world and what kind of work would make us feel truly fulfilled. We stepped up our traveling!

We discovered that we love hiking, spending hours in nature, discussing deep and not-so-deep issues, or just existing. Have you ever tried to walk for eight hours and talk about everything and nothing? You might be surprised at the random topics you end up discussing. Also, have you ever tried a peanut butter sandwich on top of a mountain? It's probably the best food with the best scenery in the world. Highly recommended!

The most memorable trip during this time was the 20 days we spent in India. It was my long-time dream, just like with Burg, and it came true. Burg is the best travel planner, he loves to scout new places, check several blogs, and ask for tips before committing to a plan. I, on the other hand, just pack my bags and smile at all the surprises he has planned for the trip. I love finding out the plans as we go!

I knew Burg was the guy I wanted to spend the rest of my life with because besides loving him so much, I discovered a new phase of us that I call "making dreams come true" and from today on, I know our life together will be full of surprises!

Apr-Jul/2020: Quarantine in Curitiba. Here we adopted Billy, the sweetest dog for Burg's mom!

Nov/2020: Winter at HBS Campus

Sep/2021: Lau's first Marathon in SF

Dec/2021: 20 days in India

CHAPTER 4: São Paulo, our home

We moved back to São Paulo! We settled in and for the first time organized a place to call home. Our house is full of vegan treats, pictures from our travels, and different ways to make coffee (we have at least four different types).

We got engaged in a small village called El Chaltén, in La Patagonia Argentina. Reaching Mount Fitz Roy was one of the most beautiful hikes we have ever done. Burg managed to give me the perfect engagement ring, from the design to the stones he chose - I loved it! The 20km hike was enough time to remember how lucky we were to have each other and dream about our future. It was the easiest yes of my life!

We became runners! I (Laura) have been running for a while, but more as a meditation hobby with no specific goal. Burg, after several years of trying to like running, finally understood the feeling of accomplishment after finishing a race. He ran his first 10K at the beginning of 2018, and in 2023, he ran his first marathon. Running is also how we spend time together, during the week and on weekends. I also ran an ultramarathon in 2023. Running 55 km was my accomplishment, but I'm super grateful that Burg was always by my side, at every single training session, when I got hurt, and when I had to get up at 4 am the day of the race. He made me breakfast. He walked me to the start line. I knew he would be there at the finish line. He has been my rock and everything is just more fun when I get to share it with him. Now he is becoming a faster runner than me! (I'm still more resilient, hehe)

Now, as I'm writing these memories, we are on the best trip of our lives (so far) through Southeast Asia. Burg is in front of me, singing songs he is considering for our wedding. I'm happy and excited about our future together!

Sep/2022: Moving to our new apartment

Dec/2022: 100km in 3 days in Argentina!

Dec/2022: Proposal in El Chaltén, Argentina

Nov/2023: Burg's first Marathon

Jan/2024: Southeast Asia backpacking trip - this is Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Other random things about us (just to answer the questions Burg added in the intro) I love mango, it is my favorite fruit in the world and the saddest part of living abroad is not being able to find good, sweet mangoes everywhere. I ate more than my weight in mangoes during our trip to Southeast Asia. As for pickles, Burg doesn't like pickles in his sandwiches, but he likes them by themselves, so if a sandwich comes with pickles, you'll see him remove them and eat them first. Weird, huh?