90 Day Fiance couple Jonathan Rivera and Fernanda Flores are sharing the story of their love on TLC's currently-airing sixth season.
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Jonathan, a 32-year-old from Lumberton, NC, is engaged to Fernanda, a 19-year-old from Mexico.
During a vacation to Mexico with his best friend, Jonathan, a real estate broker, fell hard for Fernanda. Jonathan called Fernanda a showstopper and said the world stopped when he first met her.
While Jonathan is a lot older than his partner, he was apparently the person in the relationship who was hesitant about leaving his bachelor lifestyle behind. Despite Fernanda's concerns about Jonathan wanting to settle down, however, she accepted his marriage proposal after dating for three months.
Fernanda's visa was subsequently approved, and so Jonathan headed out to Mexico to pick her up. The premiere of 90 Day Fiance's sixth season ended with Fernanda arriving in America and getting settled in Jonathan's apartment.
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During an exclusive interview with Reality TV World via email, Jonathan and Fernanda talked about their relationship and the obstacles they must overcome together. Below is what they had to say.
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Reality TV World: How confident were you, Jonathan, that you were going to marry Fernanda? Did you view the 90 days as a test window to determine if the relationship could really work long-term, or had you been certain you two were going to get married from the moment she arrived?
Jonathan Rivera: I was certain that I loved Fernanda and that I was willing to do whatever it took to spend the rest of my life with her. I feared that Fernanda was not going to enjoy living in Lumberton and that pressure of keeping her happy here and away from her family would become extremely difficult.
We discussed that if she was not happy here that I would change what I envisioned as the foreseeable future here in the U.S. and move to Mexico.
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I was willing to make that commitment because I knew that she was my everything, and as she has sacrificed for me, I was willing to do the same for her. I didn't know how it was going to play out but I was going to marry my best friend.
Reality TV World: Fernanda, what were your personal and professional goals for coming to the United States?
Fernanda Flores: I always had interest in business, fashion, makeup and fitness. I love to help others and I would love helping women to love themselves as an influencer. I will probably go back to school.
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Reality TV World: Did you both feel like you had support from your friends and family members to build a future together in the U.S.?
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Fernanda Flores: I have been making crazy decisions in my life, some of them my family has not completely agreed with. They miss me so much and it's hard for them like it is for me to live long distance, but at the end of the day, they have my back and if I'm happy, they are too.
Reality TV World: Jonathan, did you have any doubts about Fernanda or concerns she may be using you for a future in the United States, that she might "flip a switch" upon arrival and prove to be someone different than whom you fell in love with?
Jonathan Rivera: I know Fernanda and have never questioned her motivations. Never once has Fernanda asked me for anything. I have no doubts that Fernanda is with me because she loves me.
I will support Fernanda in every way that I can to help her build/reach her personal and professional dreams and continue to grow our love together. There is nothing wrong with supporting the person you love. If she wins, I win.
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Reality TV World: Fernanda, did you fear everyone was always going to question your motives for coming to America? If so, how did that make you feel?
Fernanda Flores: Everyone has an opinion about our relationship and it is easy to judge, but Jonathan and I know our reasons and that's good enough for me.
Reality TV World: There is a 12-year age difference between you. Fernanda, you joke that Jonathan is robbing you of your youth by tying you down at such a young age, but people say there is some truth behind every joke. Were you truly ready to get married?
Fernanda Flores: To other people it's a big deal; to us, it's just a number. I have a mature personality and Jonathan has a young soul and that's a perfect match for us.
I wasn't 100 percent ready, I don't think no one is completely ready for that. But when you know you know. And there is no book for what a marriage should be or what age you should get married everyone lives at their time.
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Reality TV World: Jonathan, what led you to believe Fernanda was ready for marriage -- and were you 100 percent convinced of that, or did a part of you fear Fernanda's "youth robbing" remark?
Jonathan Rivera: I'm not necessarily sure that we were 100 percent ready to get married, but that was a risk I was willing to take. Fernanda has showed me unwavering love since the moment we met. I knew after going back to Mexico that Fernanda was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.
Reality TV World: Are you two looking to have children and start a family? If so, how quickly? How many?
Fernanda Flores: I'm too young to have children right now. I want to enjoy our life together. We love to travel and I would like to get started on my professional career. There is no doubt that we want to have children some day, but just not now. And if we ever do, it will be just one.
Visit the 90 Day Fiance website section of Reality TV World for more exclusive interviews with Season 6 cast members!