On the exact moment she became two years, one month, 21 days, 3 hours, and 13 minutes she was completely unaware of the fact that the world, her world, became just a bit sweeter. Thousands of miles away on the shores of North Carolina in a city known as Wilmington a little boy was born. He was tough yet sweet, just as he continues to be.
They grew up miles and miles apart. Their lives seemed to be heading in completely different directions. Seemed to be yet completely in sync.
The little girl was now older. Her life had taken her to places she had never expected.
The little boy was now older too. In his life he never expected to be in the places he had been and was going.
Life had taken him to Canada, to serve his mission in Montreal and Ottawa, where he would spend two years being the best missionary a little girl from Bolivia could ever hope for.
Life had also taken her to Canada, to Ottawa to visit family.
It was late July, the air was humid. Children were outside playing. Gardens were growing. The sun didn't ever want to sleep. It would stay up til the later hours of the evening.
The now not so little girl was happy to be in Ottawa for her favorite person in the entire world was there, her grandfather. She had spent a beautiful day with him when without warning, without notice, his body was no more and was all spirit.
She prayed that night. She asked for something, anything, to make sense of the situation.
The next morning her family was in shock. No one was quite sure of what to do next.
The door rang and the girl went to answer it.
She opened the door and there was the little boy, although he was not little anymore. From that very second their lives would never be the same.
The girl's name was Gabriela.
The boy's name was Jonathan, but he was known as Elder Leggett.
Gabriela would have to wait a whole year til she could call him Jonathan.
"Hi. Ummm, we're looking for Gabriela?" asked Elder Leggett.
" Hi, well, that's me, heehee, but I think you're looking for my aunt, and by the way you guys are dressed I'm going to guess that you're missionaries," Gabriela responded.
She never really paid much attention to missionaries, but this one, he was different.
Although Gariela did see and feel something different in Elder Leggett she could not lead on too much that she felt something for him. Not because she didn't want to but in respect to where he was in his life and what he was doing, being a missionary. Not only did she have to wait a year to call him Jonathan, she had to wait a year to tell him what she felt.
Gabriela saw Elder Leggett a few more times in the days that passed.
Then one day at church, the same day Gabriela found out that Elder Leggett was to be transfered, she asked him where she could get a copy of this Book of Mormon her grandfather had such a strong testimony about. Elder Leggett was more than happy to give her the copy he had in his backpack. He told her to read the introduction and then he would answer any question she had. And that is exactly what happened. He answered all her questions and the next day he was gone.
Gabriela decided to stay in Ottawa. She continued to meet with the missionaries and learn. She kept in contact with Elder Leggett, as he continued to help her with all the questions she had.
One day while the leaves were taking on different colors Gabriela decided to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of the church she had come to know what true. She sent Elder Leggett a 'Thank You' card to express how grateful she was toward him for helping her.
Elder Leggett's birthday was coming up. He received a package from Gabriela. The Canadian Post had destroyed the cookies she had baked for him, but the scarf the knitted for him was perfect.
One evening, during the harsh cold Canadian winter, things seemed a little difficult for Gabriela. She prayed, she asked for something, for anything, to just make her feel better. Within a few hours after that prayer Elder Leggett had called her, which was not the usual thing for a missionary to do, but was just right. While they conversed on the phone, for those couple of minutes, everything was better.
The winter months in Canada seem to be endless.
But, when the beauty that is spring unfolds it all feels worth it.
As summer roll in the flowers are brighter, the grass is greener, and everything is just lovelier.
One summer evening, Gabriela received a phone call. It was not Elder Leggett, it was Jonathan, he was home. Gabriela smiled.
Gabriela made her way to Washington, D.C.
Jonathan was in North Carolina.
As soon as it was physically possible Jonathan went to visit Gabriela.
Gabriela saw Elder Leggett a few more times in the days that passed.
Then one day at church, the same day Gabriela found out that Elder Leggett was to be transfered, she asked him where she could get a copy of this Book of Mormon her grandfather had such a strong testimony about. Elder Leggett was more than happy to give her the copy he had in his backpack. He told her to read the introduction and then he would answer any question she had. And that is exactly what happened. He answered all her questions and the next day he was gone.
Gabriela decided to stay in Ottawa. She continued to meet with the missionaries and learn. She kept in contact with Elder Leggett, as he continued to help her with all the questions she had.
One day while the leaves were taking on different colors Gabriela decided to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of the church she had come to know what true. She sent Elder Leggett a 'Thank You' card to express how grateful she was toward him for helping her.
Elder Leggett's birthday was coming up. He received a package from Gabriela. The Canadian Post had destroyed the cookies she had baked for him, but the scarf the knitted for him was perfect.
One evening, during the harsh cold Canadian winter, things seemed a little difficult for Gabriela. She prayed, she asked for something, for anything, to just make her feel better. Within a few hours after that prayer Elder Leggett had called her, which was not the usual thing for a missionary to do, but was just right. While they conversed on the phone, for those couple of minutes, everything was better.
The winter months in Canada seem to be endless.
But, when the beauty that is spring unfolds it all feels worth it.
As summer roll in the flowers are brighter, the grass is greener, and everything is just lovelier.
One summer evening, Gabriela received a phone call. It was not Elder Leggett, it was Jonathan, he was home. Gabriela smiled.
Gabriela made her way to Washington, D.C.
Jonathan was in North Carolina.
As soon as it was physically possible Jonathan went to visit Gabriela.
Gabriela took the train to pick up Jonathan at the Baltimore Airport.
She had imagined this moment many times, and now it was real.
She still couldn't believe the feelings that she had for a boy that she had only seen no more than six times. For a boy that she had never seen in regular clothes. For a boy that had only shaken her hand.
Jonathan tried to hide from Gabriela at the airport, but his attempt failed, because as he thought to surprise her, she actually surprised him. They said hello and hugged, a moment they had spoken about on the phone several times was now real.
"I don't want to let go," said Gabriela.
"Then don't," said Jonathan.
Now, it was all REAL.
They went out on a date. They had dinner, they visited the monuments, and ended up in a bar called Madam's Organ in Adam's Morgan.
A cover band played Black Magic Woman by Santana and they kissed.
It was the kisses of all kisses. The best, sweetest, most beautiful, greatest, beyond all comparison either of them had ever experienced.
Jonathan found himself driving six hours to Washington, D.C. whenever possible, just to be with Gabriela.
Gabriela found herself riding the Greyhound bus at night through more cities than she could count til morning, just to be with Jonathan.
One cold, cold, very cold night on the 17th day of December Jonathan and Gabriela out to dinner. After dinner they visited the Washington Monument. Everything seemed to be taking quite familiar turn, it reminded Gabriela of their first date. As they stood next to the Washington Monument Jonathan asked Gabriela to close her eyes. When she opened them, Jonathan was on one knee.
"Will you marry me?" Jonathan asked.
"YES!!" Gabriela shouted with tears in her eyes.
They went out on a date. They had dinner, they visited the monuments, and ended up in a bar called Madam's Organ in Adam's Morgan.
A cover band played Black Magic Woman by Santana and they kissed.
It was the kisses of all kisses. The best, sweetest, most beautiful, greatest, beyond all comparison either of them had ever experienced.
Jonathan found himself driving six hours to Washington, D.C. whenever possible, just to be with Gabriela.
Gabriela found herself riding the Greyhound bus at night through more cities than she could count til morning, just to be with Jonathan.
One cold, cold, very cold night on the 17th day of December Jonathan and Gabriela out to dinner. After dinner they visited the Washington Monument. Everything seemed to be taking quite familiar turn, it reminded Gabriela of their first date. As they stood next to the Washington Monument Jonathan asked Gabriela to close her eyes. When she opened them, Jonathan was on one knee.
"Will you marry me?" Jonathan asked.
"YES!!" Gabriela shouted with tears in her eyes.
6 comments:
You guys are so sweet. I love you.
What a beautiful story and family you are! You are a gifted writer, Gabriela. Your story is like a fairytale! We love you guys.
Awe, it's so beautiful. I cried. I'm loving your blog. Please continue posting! Love, Arielle
Awe, I cried. What a lovely story. I love your blog. Please keep posting! Love, Arielle
Um...cutest love story ever!!!
So don't tell my wife I wrote this or she'll think I'm a sap... Your story is awesome and so well written...it made my heart smile...and maybe tear up at the same time...love the romance...
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