CHAPTER FOUR HUNDRED AND TWENTY SIX – THE PERFECT VENUE

In the weeks that followed, Jasmine and Marco threw themselves into wedding planning. They spent their weekends driving around New Mexico, visiting potential venues. One Saturday, they found themselves walking through an old Spanish mission on the outskirts of Santa Fe. The adobe walls glowed golden in the late afternoon sun, and a fragrant garden bloomed behind the chapel. "Oh, Marco," Jasmine breathed, taking in the beauty of the place. "This is perfect." Marco squeezed her hand. "I was thinking the same thing. Can't you just picture it? The ceremony in the chapel, the reception in the garden..." They spoke with the caretaker, an elderly woman named Maria, who showed them around the property. As they walked, Maria regaled them with the history of the mission and stories of the weddings that had taken place there over the years. "This place has seen much love," Maria said with a smile. "It would be honored to see yours too." By the time they left, Jasmine and Marco had made thei