Our Story
For This
You ask why I love you. For this: You are a minute of quiet in a loud shouting world.
by Gabriel Gadfly
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Chapter One
Boy Meets Girl
Luis and Sarah met November 5, 2008 in Washington, DC.
The previous night Barack Obama had been elected the 44th president of the United States. Having voted 93% for Obama, the city was bursting with HOPE, filled with possibility, and alive with celebration. Hundreds of people spilled into the streets early that morning carrying balloons and banging on drums eager to welcome a new era.
Luis and Sarah met in the evening, equally filled with hope and excitement. They were both inspired volunteers with the Art of Living Foundation, committed to creating a violence-free, stress-free society by sharing breathing techniques, meditation, and yoga.
They sat across the table from each other at dinner, feeling bright and relaxed after a breathing session at the Sri Sri Center for Peace and Meditation.
Luis had been living in DC since 2005. He'd come to study English and complete his Masters in Accounting.
Sarah had just arrived in the city that morning. She would be spending the next year working in DC's Art of Living youth programs.
It was just about time for Luis to head back to Panama...But when they met, Luis thought it might be better to postpone returning...
Chapter Two
Nothing Happened, but Something Happened!
Luis and Sarah found themselves in the same circle of friends, and soon were together a lot, organizing breathing courses and dinner parties and running around DC with their crew.
Then one night, about six months after they met, Luis surprised Sarah by picking her up in a rented yellow MINI Cooper, a car she'd often admired for its compact adorableness. As they hit the road, Sarah thought, “Wait a minute. Is it just us? Where is everyone else? Is this...is this a date?!”
Yes, yes it was. Luis took her out for Thai food in Old Town Alexandria, then for a walk under the stars by the Potomac River Bay. Nothing happened, but something happened!
Luis started taking two hour lunch breaks to hang out with Sarah, and became the most enthusiastic volunteer on her service projects. She helped him plant trees for Mission Green Earth. He helped her teach yoga at Howard University and Georgetown. They made their way through every fro-yo, ice cream and gelato shop in the city. It wasn't long before they were officially official.
Chapter Three
Family
Luis traveled to Chicago and Grand Rapids to meet Sarah's family. Sarah's dad wrote to her, "Luis seems like a very nice young man, a real gentleman. I approve!" He'd never voiced an opinion about her boyfriends before. Sarah took it as a good sign.
Later, they went to Panama and spent a week with Luis's fam, walking through the rainforest and relaxing on the ocean.
Luis and Sarah thought it time to start a “family” of their own. They moved in together and adopted the sweetest, fluffiest, most enthusiastic dog in town. They named her Gopi, a symbol in Hindu mythology of unconditional love and unwavering devotion. She lived up to her name, became a yogi and meditator, and mediated her parents' first-living-together fights.
Chapter Four
One Step Back, Two Steps Forward
On Christmas Eve of 2010, Luis proposed on one knee — in a foot of snow!
Sarah panicked a bit and said she wasn't ready.
They decided to take some time apart and moved into separate apartments, but continued to see each other as friends.
They shared custody of Gopi.
After six months, they started dating again. And this time, something felt different. Though they were both still traveling often and busy with their jobs, their relationship felt more certain and serious.
One evening when they were outside Montreal under a starry sky, Sarah asked Luis, “Wow, isn't this beautiful? Wouldn't this be a romantic moment to propose??”
Luis didn't give in quite that easily, but he got the hint that Sarah was ready now. A month later after a bike ride through DC's beautiful Rock Creek Park, he got down on one knee once again and proposed with a Tiffany's yellow diamond.
This time, she said, “YES!”
Chapter Five
Here, There & Everywhere
At long last, Luis decided it was time for him to return to Panama, and Sarah agreed to go with him. She quit her job at a design studio and started freelancing, while Luis gave his notice and made arrangements for them to leave the country.
Luis showed Sarah some of the Panamanian wonders and beauties. Sunrise walks at the beach near their house, fresh avocados from the tree in their backyard, guanabana juice, fried plantains with sugar and cinamon, and limitless coconuts! They brought Gopi, her first overseas trip, panting all the while in her fluffy tuxedo.
A year passed and they set off for the next stop. They rarely unpacked anymore as they traveled between Panama, Costa Rica, Canada, the US, and India, often together, but sometimes alone. After Sarah had spent five months in India, Luis surprised her there — or decided it was time to bring her back? — but not until they spent a month meditating and jet setting in Bangalore and Kerala.
In the summer of 2013, after an incredible two-week camping trip through Canada and the US, Luis was due back in Montreal and Sarah in Michigan. They were outside the Toronto train station saying goodbye when they decided they had had enough of saying goodbye! It was time to tie themselves to each other and find a way to settle down.
The rest of the story is yet to be written...!
Postscript
This story wouldn't exist without the love and support of our friends and family. You've done so much to mould our hearts and minds, and encouraged us to blossom into the best versions of ourselves, so that we can love and serve each other.
Thank you for your role in our story.
