“As our journey progressed and lives became more and more integrated, it just seemed so natural like we knew each other forever. We have had very few disagreements and never argue; we always just listen and talk through them, which I have never experienced in any relationship before. She has demonstrated over and over how much she loves me and never takes me for granted. I feel valued and a better person when I’m with her.”
Brian first met Yazmin back in 2021. They were both in their early 50s, and despite not knowing each other before that, it felt as though they had known each other since their 20s.
This speaks volumes to Yazmin in particular, who is a super special soul. She loves hard and is a great partner for Brian, and it is no wonder why he cannot wait to marry her. She brings so much to the table and she is so full of strength and determination.
This strength and determination have been put to the test in the past year in particular, as Yazmin has been battling cancer. She has been going through it, and yet, despite it not being easy, she keeps the good fight without complaint. And she does it all while continuing to go strong at work and beyond.
When it comes to other people, they are what Yazmin cares most about. She is such a selfless, sacrificial soul, and that is put on display time and again. From the way she treats her kids and is always there for them to the way she is there for families at work, Yazmin’s heart is always in the right place.
“A goal Yazmin set for herself walking in on day one of this job was to reach out to the Hispanic community to raise awareness about ASD and CARD services by providing training to families and professionals,” her boss, Ellie, said. “She has done that tenfold! She helps the resource office in completing calls and answering the messages from Spanish speaking families.”
Yazmin even goes as far as hosting biweekly Facebook Lives with her colleagues, along with reaching out to families to help spread awareness and provide more information on different subjects. She has really infused herself into her work, and she really focuses on giving back to the community she was once a part of.
“Yazmin was awarded with the USF Status of Latinos Awards 2020 for her work at CARD USF,” Ellie said. “She presented at the Psychology Association of Puerto Rico Annual Convention in 2022. Yazmin was selected to receive the Top Latino Leader Award at the 2023 National Latino Leadership Conference and presented ‘Latino Neurodiversity, Autism, and other Psycho-Social Needs in the Workplace.’”
The accolades and accomplishments are constant, but Yazmin will be the first to tell you that is not why she does it. She does it to make a difference and because she has a true heart for what she does, and anyone who knows her will tell you she is irreplaceable. She is a huge advocate who does so much, and the love in her heart is so widespread.
The memories she has made with Brian are also widespread. From the Disney Springs drinking incident to everything in between, life with Yazmin is just truly amazing.
“The simplest things she does and says that make me smile and laugh, which are never intended from her,” Brian said. “Like how excited she gets when getting a spare or strike when bowling; when she confuses in translation from Spanish to English, giving it a totally inappropriate and different meaning; or when she randomly starts doing her lip synching.”
The specialness of Yazmin does not stop there either. She is also a tremendous mother and an advocate in every avenue of life, and she is well-known for standing up for others.
She gives meaning to people’s lives. She makes a difference by being her and by taking a stand, and she makes a difference by just showing she cares.
“Since she has been in my life, I feel the desire to do more so we can live a long and healthy life together,” Brian said. “No matter how my day is going, she always makes me happy.”
Yazmin has that charm about her. She makes a difference in many people’s lives and is there when you need her most. She has always been this way and always will be, as her presence is always felt.
“From the first time I told her I loved her, I have told her I only love her a little bit, and the truth is that I love her a little bit more every day than I did the previous. She is an amazing person and has me wanting to be a better person because of her, and I am very grateful that she is in my life.” – Brian
