Erik's story:
I’m not a writer but for you I write. I’m not a dancer but for you I try. I’m not a chef but for you I pretend. I’m afraid of heights but for you I climbed a mountain. I’m reborn in Christ because you guided me to reconnect. Because of you I have my son. You are my “why” every morning, what gets me through difficult times, who warms my soul, and my feet in the cold. My little “espollito” until we get old.
It is most accurate to say I did not really meet Diana until the car ride home after a night out with mutual friends, to a bar called Mad River, in Chicago. If you don’t know Mad River, you don’t know that is is less bar and more a giant dance floor. For someone who has as much rhythm as a drunk platypus on ice-skates, it is an understatement to say the odds were not in my favor to catch the attention of a beautiful Colombian who was born with the beat. We were on different levels. My only move was air pistols coupled with a bobbing leg — Diana twirled around like a graceful floating ballerina.
Only God could have planned fate for our mutual friends to decide to head back early to a home where one of Diana’s friends was living as an Au Pair. While we didn’t stay long, Diana still wanted to dance and she had really no other option. I had my glimmer of hope. She attempted to help me look less bad. I put my number in her phone, and God willing, we began slowly to sow the seeds of a bond that would grow.
On our first date I was so absorbed, and frazzled, that I forgot how old I was when asked, only to get corrected by pulling out my license; I thought that I was one year younger and that Diana was a cougar one year older : ) Turns out she’s not and that we were born only seven days apart (I was born on May 17 and Diana May 24). Although only a week apart, she is firmly a Gemini and I’m a Taurus.
Meetups continued, emotions deepened. One indication you’re in love is a visible aura, a radiating glow, a special spotlight that seems to shine with every glance. I first vibrantly notice my symptoms after Diana’s friend (who will remain nameless : ) accidentally destroyed my external hard drive with hundreds of movies and music albums. All lost. I recall being floored but at the same time looking at Diana and seeing her glow. The pain and agony from the weeks of work lost started to fade.
My fondest memories of our love story revolve around what’s closest to both of us — our families. And I feel very blessed to have amazing in-laws.
Meeting Diana’s brother, father, mother and sister after what felt like the second date.
Meeting Diana’s uncle & family in Chicago before going to a waterpark.
Flying Diana to Fort Lauderdale for my birthday while I was there working.
Meeting Diana’s parents for the first time having arrived in Chicago for the birth of our son; seeing our mom’s and dad’s connect despite resorting to hand gestures due to language barriers.
Climbing a mountain in Bogota, getting passed by Diana’s uncle twice my age as I tired, practically peeing my pants walking with our son on a precarious narrow ridge edge while Diana frolics along, passing friendly heavily armed soldiers, and to top it off, at night Diana’s uncle and family opening a prized tequila to celebrate.
Going on our first international vacation to Malta and Italy while the NoNos (grandparents) watched Julian.
I often call Diana my “espollito” because it embodies in so many ways her personality, and why I love her. Espollito means little chicken. Little chickens are cute, cuddly, innocent, hyper friendly, and they bounce around through life with blissful glee. At the same time Diana is a motivated, successful entrepreneur who started from very humble beginnings to achieve success, traveling along life’s roads that would have derailed many others. She started selling hot dogs at a young age in Colombia and is now selling homes under her own firm. She is an incredible mother, has more true friends than I do connections on LinkedIn or Facebook, and is a true life partner.
Te amo.
