It's a Love Story
This is a post about my most avid reader and supporter. He even said that if I write my book until September 1st he will take me on an air balloon ride to celebrate. He will also hate, maybe even get upset, being put in the spotlight here. However, I hope it's a nice enough text that he forgives me. Considering it's been 5 years, it's a good round number worth mentioning.
***
I'm in class in Oviedo, Spain. This boy arrives late, short on breath, to every class and sits by my side in the back of the room. We exchange some words during the breaks, partner up for assignments, we become friends.
You probably never heard of Oviedo. Prior to going there, I didn't know anything about it. My only reference was that Javier Barden's character lived there in the movie Vicky, Cristina, Barcelona.
Nothing like that happened, but I found a new relationship even though I wasn't expecting it.
I thought we had everything stacked against us. I was seven years older, we would soon live apart for at least another one and a half year. And we were from different countries and cultures to start with. Honestly, I was just looking for some fun, but he captivated me.
His eyes lighted up when I talked.
One Sunday morning we went to a museum with a friend. We talked about art. Sitting on a small bar in the sun, we discussed deep feelings. He seemed aloof, almost mysterious and I thought it was so cool how he seemed not to care too much about doing what others thought he should. Especially since I always thought of myself as someone extremely eager to please and fit in.
Most of all, he seemed so interested in me, he would ask so many questions, listen attentively. He noticed me.
We joked a lot. I couldn't help but feeling good about him.
We kept talking every day on the phone for hours after we were separated living in different countries. I knew this was something more. Something we should invest in.
***
March 2020 came and he was in Italy doing his Master's thesis. It took a lot of calls and convincing to get him out of there to come be with me in Belgium. Italy at the time seemed like the center of the apocalypse. He literally flew on the last day before all flights leaving Italy were cancelled for six or more months.
It was the first time living together. I felt divided. On the one hand I was scared about COVID, especially for my family back in Brazil. On the other hand, every day felt like vacation. The sun finally shined in cold grey Belgium. We had a lot of free time on our hands. We had so much fun together every single day. We would cook, make collages, bake, go for strolls in the sun, go to parks. We played through every single edition of Mario Party. Even though I was so anxious about the pandemic and the world's state in general, I felt extremely happy.
Despite feeling a bit guilty about it, I consider that period to be one of my happiest. It was the confirmation I needed.
I could tell already that he was someone that would be great to share my life with. I could see how living together worked and how much fun, love and support awaited me.
***
I had many expectations about taking him to Brazil. Finally meeting my family and friends. Most of all, I wanted to see how he would perceive my country as a foreigner, how he would feel about it.
He was very scared of tropical diseases at first, and made sure he got vaccinated against yellow fever before traveling. A move I found offensive for a second (because it's not mandatory for traveling there), before remembering every single person I know in Brazil is also fully immunized. Due to the fact that they are free, I think I even got vaccinated twice.
But I think he knew before we took off that we don't live in the jungle and ride the vines like Tarzan. Still, what is nice about Brazil, especially if you are biologists like we are is that biodiversity is huge and everywhere. He was especially impressed with the butterflies, plants, and toucans we found in parks and around the city.
Every living thing intrigued and fascinated him. And why shouldn't it?
His Portuguese was pretty advanced by then, which already says a lot about the kind of person he is. He learned a whole language to meet my family and friends.
It felt special to share those moments in nature, the food and everything about my city and region. I felt like now he really knew me. Where I came from, my family and how my life was before I immigrated.
***
He dislikes grand gestures. But is love really about grand gestures? Is life really about big days? Not really. Life is cooking, working, doing laundry, fixing broken things. Life is cleaning your cat's litter box, watching Netflix together and going for a walk around the block. Life is missing the train, the delivery not arriving, being screwed up by the landlord.
And love, well, love is also in the small things, the every day things. Sorry for the cliché, but it's true.
Love is caring when the other is sick, dancing together to a music in the living room, calling each other weird names. Heating a water bottle when I have cramps, being supportive about anything I try to do.
Love is knowing that not every day will be perfect or go as expected, but it is still worth it. Love is knowing I can count on someone. I have found someone who truly sees me. Someone who wants the best for me. Someone who will be a big part of my life, always there, protecting and cheering me on.
How lucky I am that we sitted next to each other and found ourselves by chance like that. Who would have thought that someone who was born 8 thousand kilometers away from me would be so important in my life.
Maybe he won't enjoy this public gesture, since he is very private. But here it is.
I just want everyone to know how sweet you are. I love you.
Love in times of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez
Love in times of Cholera reflects on love, life, and death in an intimate and deep manner. A hallmark of his literary work, Márquez blends the commonplace and the spectacular to explore human feelings with magical realism.
It explores the long love between Florentino and Fermina, who has married a different men when she was young. Having sworn his love for her, Florentino longs for the day when he can court her again. The moment finally come when her husband dies 50 years later. In the twilight of their lives, can love find new life?
Domhnall Gleeson stars as young lawyer Tim Lake. His otherwise undemonstrative father reveals a surprising secret to his son on his birthday. In their family line, men can travel backward in time to any moment they have previously experienced, changing their present through their actions.
When Tim realizes it's true, he decides that the one thing he wants to pursue with his newfound ability is love.
I know stories where the guy can travel back in time and try a thousand times to win the girl over are a bit problematic. Still, I love About Time. The film isn't about supernatural abilities or even discovering true love, but rather about taking the time to enjoy the present, to see the small things that make life so lovely, because, unlike Tim, we can't relive them anytime we like. About Time is a reaffirmation of self and family, a celebration of life, and a reminder of the value of expressing one's feelings.
Love (Netflix)
Mickey and Gus are two unlikely souls seeking connection in Love, a brilliant romantic series. Despite its anti-romantic theme, this comedy explores modern love affairs' vulnerability and chaos. I was captivated by the show's charmingly imperfect love story and relatable characters.
This is beautiful ❤️
I'm from Spain in a relationship with someone from the UK so I really heart this❤️