I'm not a very mushy mashy, lovey dovey type of person. But today I would like to forget about recipes and weekend getaways and begin to talk a little bit about why I live in Spain and share my Spanish wedding experience. Exactly one year ago I was in my last week of pre-wedding madness, waiting for my family to arrive from the US and finishing up my last days of "teaching" (AKA standing around) in Carmona.
I was excited and nervous, planning had been challenging and short, and I wanted to ensure that my family would have everything they needed upon arrival.
But lets back up a bit. Long before I was worrying about the color of the flowers in my boquet or the musicians arriving on time, I made a life-changing choice to come to Spain and I met a young man named Alejandro.
My Spain Story
At the end of my senior year in college I made the decision to stop fake smiling my way through interviews and accepted a teaching grant in Spain. As a hospitality and tourism management major, I knew that I did not want to work for a big hospitality company but I didn't feel like going straight into an MBA program either. Going back to sunny southern Spain sounded like a good option, despite the program's low wages and overall lack of organization.
In a dreamlike state, I quickly cut the cord on a four year relationship, bought a completely unnecessary backpackers' backpack (which, not surprisingly, I haven't used since) and the cheapest ticket I could find to Seville, Spain.
I arrived feeling free and extremely positive, excited for new challenges and meeting new people. The first few weeks I met lots of fellow Americans in Seville, and was constantly out with new friends or walking around gorgeous Sevilla by myself.
Meeting Ale
It was only a week or so into my stay in Seville when I met my husband. I'd responded to his advertisement on a Craigslist type of website where he was looking for a language exchange. Language exchanges are a fantastic concept popular in Spain where people meet for a coffee or a drink and spend part of the time speaking in English and the other time in Spanish. It's a free way to have a conversation class-- and in my case a very effective way to catch a husband!
I almost cancelled on Ale. Our email conversations had been less than perfect-- first he sent me a response with the wrong name (I guess he was also meeting with a Kitty at the time-- strange!) and then when I asked about his age, he sketchily never responded.
I was really tempted to stay home, but I had a strange feeling (I swear!) that I had to go meet him. I told my roommates where I was going, put on a touch of makeup and left the house.
When I arrived to the meeting place I pulled out my map to double check. My phone rang immediately, "Hola?" I answered.
"Lóren? I see you..." responded the voice at the other end.
I looked across the street and there he was. I laughed because I wasn't sure if his creepy phone call was a joke or a just an awkward attempt to speak English. We went to a nearby tapas bar where he showed me that I knew nothing about Spanish cuisine. That's right, I now consider myself an expert on Spanish food, but only a few years ago I knew next to nothing.
We bonded over tapas and wine and I was smitten from the start. I was not looking for a relationship, but I didn't want to close the door on something only because the timing was not ideal.
We started dating almost immediately and the relationship progressed quickly-- I met his parents by New Year's! Now, after almost a year of marriage I look back and thank myself for giving the relationship a chance-- so many people may have ignored their feelings because "the timing wasn't right". In my opinion "timing" is just something we've invented as an excuse to let our fears control our decisions. I took a chance, and it was worth it.
Next Time: The Proposal
Morwenna
Love your blog in all ways, the places you visit, the food! I'm moving to Zaragoza in a week to start as a language assistant, it's nice to read about other peoples' experiences! I'd be interested in doing language exchanges (/bag a husband- just kidding!?). Please could you tell me some craiglist/gumtree type websites in Spain? Gracias, Morwenna 🙂
Lauren Aloise
Hello! How exciting! Language exchanges are great, usually people advertise on sites like loquo.com and on Facebook groups too. If you ask teachers at your school they will probably have friends or family interested too. Good luck!
Mo
Lovely! When he´s the guy, he´s the guy, and nothing can stand in the way of it! Off to read the rest now.
Izy Berry
Wow, super sweet story. How romantic! I wouldn't be too disappointed if I found a nice Spanish hunky language exchange friend on my upcoming trip to Madrid... A girl can dream, right? 😉
Lauren Aloise
When are you coming to Madrid? We could go Spaniard hunting together 🙂 or at least grad a drink!
Kaley [Y Mucho Más]
Awwwwwww I am super lovey dovey, so I like this. I find some things DO come across as creepier, like for instance on our wedding invitations, it says in Spanish, "Te esperamos!" and I'm like, "Hmm, let's just leave that off, because 'We await you!' sounds pretty creepy, right?" Hah. Also, Mario called me "Kelly" in his first email. I thought he was joking, but he did think my name was Kelly, because Kaley isn't that common of a name, and Kelly is.
I had a huge crush on my intercambio while I was studying abroad in 2008 -- glad that didn't work out, as I met Mario in 2009 while back in Spain!
Lauren Aloise
Haha I found many of the Spanish wedding traditions to be quite strange! That's funny that he called you Kelly-- at least it was closer than Lauren/Kitty!
Laura
Such a sweet story! Some times you just have to go for it even if it feels wrong! If I listened to my brain instead of my heart I wouldn't be with my awesome French bf right now. You remind me of another blogger . She is just about to married to her Spanish beau in June, in Spain!
Lauren Aloise
Well it's a good thing you listened to your heart then! Who is the other Spanish blogger? I'd love to check her out!
My Traveling Troop
How romantic! I can't wait to read the next post!
XOXO,
Kristina
Lauren Aloise
Thanks Kristina! Coming up soon...
Cat
Awww, love you two and your story! It feels like such a short time ago that we were all meeting. So special to watch people like you together...now get ready for me to invade your house!
Oh, and I totally admit to having the first emails Kike's ever sent me...and even the post-break up ones, which completely break my heart!
Lauren Aloise
I didn't even realized I still had the emails until I searched but they're so funny! It is crazy that we all met right around the same time. Seems like yesterday in so many ways...
Lauren
Ah ha. There's the story! I had wondered. Looking forward to hearing more! Congratulations on your first anniversary
Lauren Aloise
Thanks Lauren! We are looking forward to celebrating!
Liz
I'm so glad we're finally hearing this story! I was wondering how this all went down. I'm glad he went with you and not "Kitty".
Lauren Aloise
I thought it was about time I talked more about the weddings! It really took a year to process the whole experience... I'm glad I was chosen over Kitty too!
Shannon
I love everything about this story. Soooo romantic ... I'm a sucker for stories like this. 5 years ago, would you ever have imagined that this would be your life now?
Lauren Aloise
Thanks Shannon! I never imagined I would be living abroad long term... I still don't believe it sometimes!