Focus on the Family Magazine - April/May 2023

COUPLES / FAITH
Left: Alexa on the set of Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over
Bottom: Alexa and Carlos’ wedding day
Carlos in middle with his band,
Big Time Rush
and he even blamed God for the
possibility that he might lose Alexa.
Although he trusted that Alexa cared
deeply for him, he saw that her faith
was even more important to her than
her relationship with him. When the
two paused their relationship, Andrew
started connecting more often with
Carlos, helping him see a fuller
picture of who God was in his life
and in the world.
Two become one
Carlos and Alexa’s relationship eventually
restarted, and each kept growing
in faith.
“Go big or go home!” That was Carlos’
mission when he proposed to his
beloved. He invited many family members
and friends to go on a cruise, and
he hosted a group dinner on the ship
so that he could propose to Alexa in
front of all of them.
“Alexa Vega, will you marry me?”
When Alexa said yes, through her
tears, the room went wild as the
couple’s loved ones screamed and
clapped in celebration of their joy.
Those same family members and
friends would join Alexa and Carlos
for a lavish wedding celebration at a
beach resort in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
But as the pair was planning for that
event, they decided that they’d prefer
a private ceremony before the big
shindig with family and friends. So,
on Christmas Eve, the pastor whose
preaching had first inspired Carlos to
commit his life to Jesus married the
couple. The pastor’s wife was there, too,
along with Andrew, the friend who
introduced the couple to each other.
A few days later, as Carlos and Alexa
headed toward the county courthouse
to file their paperwork, the couple realized
that they still hadn’t decided what
legal names they’d use. Should they
make their managers happy by keeping
their last names, Pena and Vega,
so that fans would continue to recognize
them? When they approached the
clerk to finalize the paperwork, they
filled in their new names: Carlos and
Alexa PenaVega.
Family life
Carlos and Alexa had both been raised
in Latino families, among sisters and
brothers they loved, and they knew
they wanted kids of their own. Several
years into their marriage, Carlos and
Alexa welcomed Ocean King PenaVega
into their family. He was soon joined
by brother Kingston and sister Rio.
Grateful for one another’s strengths,
each is quick to affirm the other.
Carlos brags that Alexa is a natural
nurturer. She’s selfless. She’s an incredible
mother. He calls her the family’s
rock. And Alexa praises the way Carlos
plans and provides for their family.
He tosses the kids around in the pool
before dinner, and he serves neighbors
in his community.
Both Alexa and Carlos admit they’re
very different people. He’s fiery and
passionate, while she’s more grounded
and even-keeled. He wants to be going
(TEXTURE) MR. MUSIC-ADOBE STOCK
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FOCUS ON THE FAMILY
APRIL / MAY 2023