The American Dream City's DREAM love story

Gabe Rivas and Leah Castillo have a love story like no other... and it all unfolds right here in the American Dream City. More specifically, alongside the DREAM Sculpture in Downtown Arlington. 

Gabe currently works in Downtown Arlington as the Director of Community Outreach for the Tarrant County Courthouse and graduated from UTA in 2017. Leah enjoys visiting downtown for date nights with Gabe, so downtown was the perfect place for their love story to unfold. 

The two crossed paths in the Half Price Books on Cooper Street on April 19, 2023. After chatting about records, they headed to Lazy Dog in the Arlington Highlands for an impromptu first date and talked until the restaurant closed. 

“That’s what all our dates end up being — going to places and being there for three or four hours and closing them down,” Gabe said. 

After a date nearly every other day, ring shopping and one year later, Gabe began planning the proposal. 

The Proposal 

One week after they met, Leah and Gabe told each other “I love you” on April 26, 2023. One year later to the date (during DreamFest), Gabe popped the question after sending Leah on a scavenger hunt through Arlington. 

1. Lazy Dog 

After finding a riddle on a bouquet of flowers Gabe bought her, Leah’s first stop was Lazy Dog, their first date spot. 

2. Their favorite spot to go late night driving 

Next, the notes led Leah to the couple’s favorite neighborhood to go on late night car rides through. 

3. Arlington Music Hall

Then the notes took Leah to downtown Arlington. The Arlington Music Hall was her next stop. Though Gabe wanted to put a love note on the marquee, this wasn’t the final spot. 

4. The site of Gabe’s car accident 

Penultimately, Leah stopped by the spot of Gabe’s car accident that happened just a few weeks prior – a symbol of going through the ups and downs together. 

5. The DREAM Sculpture 

When Leah made her way to the last spot, she saw Gabe awaiting her arrival in front of the incredible DREAM Sculpture on the Levitt Pavilion lawn. 

“My whole theme was that this is my dream girl and anything we can dream together, we can make come true. And we can do that in the [American] Dream City,” Gabe said. 

Wedding Plans 

The soon-to-be newlyweds don’t have any wedding plans set in stone. However, they want to get married in late April to match the dates of when they met, their first date, saying “I love you,” and getting engaged. 

As a symbol of their engagement, the couple loves the idea of getting married in front of the DREAM Sculpture once the new Rotary DREAM Park opens. 

“We love this area. We love how beautiful downtown is,” Leah said.  

Their main goal is to have a large wedding that brings the community together in a sort of block party way... food trucks, yard games and lots of mingling. Even if not in front of the DREAM Sculpture, a public Downtown Arlington wedding is their current plan.  

“The vibe you get when you’re at the Levitt, especially when there’s a concert going on,” Leah said. “It’s what we want, we want that strong sense of community.” 

With plans of having a substantial, open-to-the-community wedding, Leah and Gabe have considered using it to benefit local charities like Mission Arlington by accepting donations rather than creating a wedding registry.  

Whether it’s public, private, in the Rotary DREAM Park, or at Levitt Pavilion, the couple is excited for the wedding planning process and making their dreams come true.  

“I’ve always wanted to marry my best friend. And before anything else, I’ve seen Gabriel as my best friend,” Leah said.