Every Girl Should Be This Lucky
The most life-changing events start off with the most innocent of acts. The first time you stumble upon a book on the fascinating subject that, many years in the future, will become your college major; your seat neighbor on the bus who will be a lifelong friend; the stray dog you find on the street that will be loved for years by your family: when these events are set in motion, we have no idea that they will affect our lives so deeply.
The very first time I met him, he was on his cell phone outside my front gate, rapid-fire Spanish spilling out of his mouth. We went out for coffee that night, with some mutual friends, and throughout the evening, I tried my best to decipher tico slang and the inside jokes of friends who had known each other for years. I thought I caught him staring once or twice, though I couldn’t be completely sure because his eyes darted away as quickly as they had drifted over. Smiles and laughs were exchanged, as were phone numbers between new friends. And as we walked back to the car, he put his hand on the small of my back, guiding me away from an oncoming car. To this day, I still cannot describe that touch accurately: strong enough to protect, but light enough to show that he respected my body. It electrified me.
The next few weeks were filled with excessive text messaging, not-a-date dates, and mild flirtations that only heightened my interest. He was the one man that I wanted and the only one who wouldn’t let me have him. Finally, we made plans for an actual date. Though I never “dress up” for a man, I found myself magically in a mall, with a friend and a credit card, trying on every pair of jeans in a wildly-overpriced store. I settled on a pair that hugged my curves and accented my behind because, you know, that’s the latino style. So I did my hair, stuffed contacts into my eyes, hauled out my makeup bag and, if I’m not mistaken, even wore flats (as opposed to the flip flops that always seem to be fused to my feet).
He didn’t know how much was riding on the evening, but I did: a lot depended on that night. So off I went, praying that the extra effort would do the trick. The restaurant was wonderful, though I was a bit preoccupied with what would happen later that night. After dinner, we came back to my house where we sat and talked for hours. This was one of the things that I so enjoyed: he was engaging, intelligent, and a fantastic conversationalist. But then he told me it was time to go home and I, knowing the implications of this kiss-free farewell, opened my front gate with a heavy heart. As he waited for a taxi, we chatted and then, though the exact details of the preceding events were erased from my short term memory by the intense dopamine release that followed, he turned and kissed me.
If his touch had electrified me, his lips set me on fire. I can hardly remember anything but the joy, relief, and sheer pleasure pumping through my veins, but I do know that the kisses lasted forever. His lips were as sweet and unassuming as that first hand on my back: sensual and strong, without taking any undeserved liberties. We were completely in sync and the kiss was, for lack of a better word to describe it, transcendental. Extraordinary. And very, very worth the wait.
The more time we’ve spent together, the better it’s been. Fabi is my support, my companion, and my very best friend. On a bad day, he knows better than anyone how to paint a smile on my face. When my head is pounding, he knows just how to massage the pain and tension out of my muscles. When something’s wrong, even though I say it isn’t, he knows just how to draw the truth out of me. He understands me completely.
There is love and then there is true love. True love is powerful and strong. It knows no boundaries. Everyday with that person feels like a gift. Seeing him really does make your heart expand. His smiles make you smile. When he takes your hand, you feel loved and when he puts his arm around you, you never want to leave that moment. It sounds ridiculous, straight out of Harlequin romance, but it’s true. This love is deeper, different, more comfortable and real than I’ve ever known. Love like this lasts a lifetime.
Where were you when your life changed forever?
I’m so happy for you. It’s not often that we find someone who makes us feel that way and I’m happy that you’ve found someone.
I have a long list of things that have significantly changed my life, too many for a comment. Maybe I’ll write up some posts about them.
Staring at my future husband while he made me a sandwich. Didn’t even know his name… Good moment. And GREAT post - thank you!
Congratulations, Erin! I bet it’s an amazing feeling =)
Standing at the payphone feeling my heart sink and torn apart as she said her last goodbyes.
Standing in front of the convention hall door wondering what that kiss meant and whether a girl like her would ever be interested in a guy like me.
That’s great Erin!! I hope that feeling lasts forever with you.
I know I’d wish it on anyone. Moments like that that shape our world for the better are moments we should never ever let go.
I’m so, so happy for the both of you.
Hi, my sweet angel!! This post is awesome!
Solo voy a decir que tengo q agradecerle a la vida por permetirme haberte conocido… Gracias por dejarme ser feliz con una mujer como tú!!
Todo este tiempo que hemos pasado juntos ha servido para darme cuenta de todo el amor que te tengo y todo el amor que sería capaz de dar!!
Solo contigo he llegado a compreder ese sentimiento y que ahora es más real q nunca.
Gracias por ser como eres, para mí, la combinación perfecta entre belleza, inteligencia, amistad y la más grande dulzura del mundo!!
I really love you.. I need to say thanks to life for this relationship with the most beautiful girl in the universe!!
Te quiero mucho, gringuitica and happy “monthiversary”
Soy cada vez mejor por ti….
Erin! What a beautiful post. This Love is so very sweet, heavenly, peaceful and life-changing. I’m thrilled for you both and your experiences! You’re right on, every girl should feel that lucky
Much continued happiness
felicidades
Wow, sorry it’s taken so long to respond! I’ve been VERY busy recently!
@Josh: Thank you! And congratulations to you, too! Ain’t love grand?
@Saratica: Ooh, what a great story. Here’s a question: does he still cook (granted, sandwich making isn’t quite cooking!) for you today? I’m a romantic fool, but I’d have him make me that same sandwich every anniversary… it would be cute.
@Pablo: It is. A fantastic feeling, one might even say!
@Edrei: I hope that our love grows deeper and more intense everyday, though I doubt that it will stay the same over the years! But that’s a great thing.
@Bronwen: Thank you.
Someday, hopefully you’ll be able to tell your honorary nieces and nephews that “you were there when it all began”. Hehe.
@Fabi: Baby, thank you for being so sweet!
@Jehan: Thank you! And it’s been so long… we should try to talk soon!
@Josue: Gracias.
I am so happy for you! I have now found myself in an amazing relationship as well. For the last months I have been unable to stop talking to my amazing girlfriend. We have chats late into the night, seemingly every night. We never run out of things to say.
Seeing her electrifies me and gives me reason to wake up every morning. She is about 3.5 hours away in her last year of school but it’s all worth it.
I’m so glad you see you so happy! Happy people make me happy!
Congratulations on finding such a great guy!
Awww…. That is so beautiful!
I want that!
What a beautiful story! I love hearing how people met and the moment they found each other.
Great stuff Erin, I’m deeply jealous. Still looking around for my special someone, figure I have plenty of time to do that though. Just grabbed your AIM SN off of Facebook, love facebook stalking, so don’t be worried when you randomly hear from me =)
Baby… I’m reading again this post.. and it’s wonderfull… Thanks for saying all these sweet things about me…
I feel really happy to have you in my life!!
I love you!
@peroty: I wish you luck with your girl… long distance can be hard, but it sounds like you guys have what it takes to make it: love, friendship, and conversation. Congratulations!
@Alisa: Thank you! And I hope you find it.
@Steamy Kitchen: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
@Chris: Stalk all you like; I’ll be looking forward to your IM!
@Fabi: I love you, too! And you know I don’t say it to be sweet. I say it because it’s true!
June 9, 2007.
I wish you as much happiness in your relationship as I have found in mine, Christina!