our story III

So far, my absolute favorite love story. They are both glowing, so in love.
I can also relate so well to the last part of their story.

James and I met in March of 2010, just a month and a half after I made a big life move from Oregon down to Orange County, CA. I had been west coast swing dancing for maybe 2 years at that point, and I knew that I wanted to explore the dance community in California. In fact, I was so immersed in it at the time, having dance venues close by was one of the requirements of my new living local. Luckily for me, OC is one of the WCS hubs.. and as soon as I got here, I jumped right in. (No idea what WCS is? You can see a silly video of us dancing at home if you want some context...)

(Note from Bekah: Watch this. Its adorable)

One Sunday night, I decided to go dancing at a new place.. and after I'd been there for an hour or so, he walked in the door :) I was instantly attracted to him, smitten from the start. The first thing he ever did, was ask me to dance. I mean.. it still makes me swoon a little bit.

Some time passed before we saw each other again, at a big dance convention down in San Diego. I've never exactly been.. forward when it comes to relationships or pursuing someone. But, with him, for some reason I knew that if I didn't do whatever my gut was telling me to do, I would regret it. Even from the very beginning, there was something about him that I knew I needed to make sure I didn't let any opportunities to know this man pass me by. So, when I saw him standing alone, I went to talk to him. When he would pass by me and my friends, I would call out to him or give him a little nudge to get his attention. I asked him to dance (and I don't ask boys to dance) and when he had to go I offered my number. And it was worth it. He called me after the convention was over and asked if I wanted to get dinner the following weekend, "some thai food" he said, "and perhaps a little dancing?" "Absolutely. I'd love to."

I hesitate to be cliché and say that "the rest was history" because we had our share of struggles over the past year and a half. of challenges. of hurdles. I come from a fairly conservative background. I'm the daughter of a Christian pastor and I spent my formative years in churches and Christian schools. He, on the other hand, is from Spain. His English father and Spanish mother were spiritual, but with more of a new-age bent, and he is definitely more liberal than I have ever been. Where I saw the world in black and white, he saw it in shades of gray. Our pasts, our influences, they did (and sometimes still do) affect the way that we see the world. There have been nights of tears and arguments. Moments that we didn't know if we could reconcile, but we always do. And the beautiful thing, is that through every challenge, we understand each other more and we see each other more clearly. Which, when we can rally our emotions, gives us more of a foundation to know how to better love each other. I know what he needs from me, and he knows what I need from him. And we want nothing more than to meet each others needs in every way we can. 

As time has gone on, our differences are dwindling. We're finding common ground in places we didn't think it was possible. Our discussions are always candid, always open. Nothing is off the table and he has seen me at my absolute worst (and he loved me there, too). It's been a crazy journey, but now we are engaged and planning our wedding, and I swear I love that boy more with every day that passes.

Together, we're deciding to create our own worldview. We've made love our religion and we're choosing to see the world in brilliant colors. 

We're choosing to love and support each other every step of the way. No matter what. For ever and always.

visit jen at thespaniardandme.blogspot.com

xoxo

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