Janell and Marcelo met on March 29, 1996 at the Crow’s Nest in Santa Cruz, CA. Janell went to the Crow’s Nest with her friend Catherine, to hear a friend who was playing in a local band there that night.

After working a long day at Hal Computers, Marcelo walked in very late. Catherine spied him and commented on what a good dancer he was. She suggested Janell ask him to dance. Janell declined and suggested Catherine ask him. Eventually Janell danced with Marcelo, and at the end of the night Marcelo asked her if she knew how to salsa and she said “no, I’m sorry I don’t.” He then asked if she would like to learn. Marcelo got her number, took her out the following Saturday for dinner at the Crow’s Nest, and then to the Cocoanut Grove where a big salsa band was playing. It was a late night, their first kiss, and the rest is history as they say!