Christie Sullivan was not a party girl. It was November 2000, and 18-year-old Christie was putting herself through Cottey College in Nevada, Mo., working at the Sonic Drive-In. </p><p>Her friends often asked her to come with them to parties at a nearby house. Christie always refused. One night, though, a friend begged, and she reluctantly agreed. The moment Christie arrived, she wanted to go home. </p><p>Then 19-year-old Guicho Rodriguez walked in.</p><p>&ldquo;He looked different than the others,&rdquo; Christie says. &ldquo;When he passed by, we met eyes.&rdquo;</p><p>Christie&rsquo;s friend told her, &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t even think about it. Guicho never talks to girls.&rdquo;</p><p>But that night, he came over to talk to Christie.</p><p>&ldquo;She looked mysterious and different, like a girl who knew what she was doing,&rdquo; Guicho recalls.</p><p>&ldquo;We both knew we liked each other, but I didn&rsquo;t want to be in a relationship,&rdquo; Christie says. </p><p>But when Guicho called and asked her out, she agreed.</p><p>As Christie got to know Guicho, she realized, &ldquo;He is one of the most honest and sincere people I have ever met.&rdquo;</p><p>After a few months of dating, Guicho knew he wanted to marry Christie. By November 2001, they were living together. Then Guicho got Christie a job at the restaurant he managed.</p><p>One evening in March 2002, right before her shift started, Guicho spoke to Christie in Spanish, asking if she would marry him.</p><p>&ldquo;I was so shocked, I told him to ask me again the next day,&rdquo; Christie says.</p><p>The next day, Christie told a nervous Guicho, &ldquo;Yes!&rdquo; They were married that August. </p><p>A couple of years later, Christie, who had no health insurance, was diagnosed with stage 4 cervical cancer. </p><p>&ldquo;Through the whole illness and treatment, Guicho was there for me, never complaining, always loving, understanding and encouraging me,&rdquo; Christie says. </p><p>Beside Christie&rsquo;s physical struggle with the illness, the couple also faced a struggle with medical bills.</p><p>Christie recovered, and their relationship grew even stronger. One day, Christie noticed that a Mexican restaurant in Belton had closed. Her older brother and Guicho leased the building, and within months they opened Guicho&rsquo;s Mexican Grill and Cantina. </p><p>Today, the couple live in Raymore. Christie runs her own business, Christie & Co. Salon Spa, in Belton. Guicho manages and cooks at the restaurant. He also helps Christie with her Premier Designs jewelry business.</p><p>Christie and Guicho adore spending time with their three golden retrievers. But most of all, they treasure their time together.</p><p>&ldquo;Christie is very caring and easy to get along with,&rdquo; Guicho says. &ldquo;We want to be together and we make it work.&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;Guicho is so genuine and loving,&rdquo; Christie says. &ldquo;We both came from nothing, and we&rsquo;ve made something of ourselves. He&rsquo;s the best partner anyone can ask for.&rdquo;