Sarah & Hugo Tuke de Cardona

It was 2014 when Sarah met Hugo in the mountains of Zacapa, Guatemala. Sarah had decided to venture away from her Berks County home in Wyomissing to take a volunteer position working with the elderly at Hope of Life, Inc., an aid organization for the impoverished. Hugo was her welcoming committee (can you say meant to be?)! He had been working with the American volunteers and was responsible for introducing them to the Guatemalan culture and people. Sarah admits it was not love at first sight; however, their friendship bloomed immediately. Says Sarah of the blossoming relationship, “I know it was our mutual desire to care for others and how we deeply admired that in one another.”

A year later, Sarah moved back home, but she and Hugo remained friends and spoke often. Meanwhile, Hugo had made some big decisions of his own. He moved to Connecticut in the summer of 2015. The pair casually spent time together, realized their affection for each other was not so casual, and began dating. Explains Sarah, “Most of our dating relationship was long-distance, but with his intentionality and my passion, our love continued to grow, even when he was in Guatemala.”

The Proposal

Fast forward to 2016. Hugo was able to move nearby, and the couple spent their days with Sarah’s family and friends. Sarah “kept busy caring for an elderly man with a beautiful soul at a rehab facility, and I was once again surrounded by elderly individuals. We were happy, and life continued to grow, and we were blessed.”

Little did she know just how blessed she was about to be. Sarah remembers, “One day, I was asked for assistance by an aide. As I unsuspectingly walked out into the hall, I was suddenly surrounded by people that I loved so much. I could see Hugo, dressed in a suit, as he serenaded us with Can’t Help Falling in Love. There were roses, he was on his knee, and I said ‘YES!’ Every lady at the rehab facility spent the following months giving me their tips and advice for our big day!”

The Big Day

Sarah and Hugo were married at the Villa at St. Elizabeth, Reading, by Sarah’s childhood youth pastor, Clyde Bomgardner. It was serendipitous for them to be married in a place that serves the elderly, as it was such a theme of their story. In attendance were Sarah’s parents, Dr. Greg and Kim Tuke, as well as family and friends. Hugo’s parents, Cecilia Ramirez Garcia and Francisco Javier Cardona Lopez, were unable to attend.

The reception, held as a backyard party at a friend’s home in Wyomissing, was simple, natural, classy and fun. Guests dined on make-your-own tacos and bowls from Chipotle, and Sarah’s friend Becky Merrick baked three flavors of cupcakes: tres leches, raspberry lemon and chocolate peanut butter. While they dined, friend Cory Shelly performed live music. But when it was time for dancing, DJ Sola spun oldies, salsa, bachata and other great tunes for dancing. The couple’s first dance was to Can’t Help Falling in Love, the Haley Reinhart version, sung by Shelly and friend Carly Ritter.

For Sarah, her favorite part of the day was seeing friends and family in the same place and celebrating. Hugo says the highlight was “Sarah’s face and dancing with my bride.”

Sarah also points out that “Our love for the elderly has played a huge part in our story. Hugo fell in love with me while I was volunteering with the elderly; he proposed to me at a retirement home, and we celebrated our marriage at a retirement home. We both have hearts for people who get ignored by society. We love to pour into them and encourage them.” Another fun fact? Sarah’s parents celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary the day before Sarah and Hugo’s wedding, on June 2, 2017.

The Honeymoon

A honeymoon to Peru is planned for spring of 2018.

Future Plans

In the meantime, the newlyweds see a plan to move back to Guatemala in their future. Says Sarah, “Our goal is to continue loving people and creating a safe haven for the elderly and battered women while educating the community where we will live.” But for now, they reside in Bernville. Sarah is a medical receptionist for Schuylkill Valley Family Practice and an interpreter for Step by Step Therapy. Hugo is employed by Century Cabinets as a line worker.