Many have wondered and asked… how did these two come together? How did their story begin?
Julius arrived in Barcelona in December 2004 after a two year stay in Libya. He had many formidable challenges to face in Spain, but this determined young man began to take on the tasks of learning a new language, making new friends, and making himself a home in Barcelona.
Then in the summer of 2006, something changed Julius' life…
In July 2006, Adriana arrived in Barcelona after having spent over a year in Rome. She too had many challenges ahead of her…for example…when was the best time of day to go to the beach? Should she preach in Torre Baro or Fondo? Yes, she faced SO many challenges in this new country but she was a survivor and determined to remain in Barcelona!
Julius longed to meet the ‘new’ sister in the congregation, but he couldn’t seem to gather the nerve to approach her. He just thought to himself, ‘One day, I will say something…one day *heavy sigh!*.’
Adriana quickly found out life as an English teacher wasn’t nearly as exciting, adventuresome, and rewarding as all of the TEFL programs promised! She was one private student cancellation away from begging for a meal on Las Ramblas. She knew she had to make a tough decision and that was to leave her beloved Barcelona and go to another E.U. country for reasons of survival.
In the summer of 2007, Adriana returned to Barcelona after having lived in Germany, and unbeknownst to her she made the heart of one young man very happy. He earnestly hoped for the day he would see the woman he had fallen in love with, but his hopes grew dimmer and dimmer until that hot summer day he saw her again. ‘What can I say to her? Is she seeing someone?’ these questions pestered him relentlessly. Julius knew he had to say something, but every time he saw her, the words would linger in his heart before finally getting caught in his throat. He could only imagine what could happen if and when he’d speak to her…
In July 2006, Adriana arrived in Barcelona after having spent over a year in Rome. She too had many challenges ahead of her…for example…when was the best time of day to go to the beach? Should she preach in Torre Baro or Fondo? Yes, she faced SO many challenges in this new country but she was a survivor and determined to remain in Barcelona!
Julius longed to meet the ‘new’ sister in the congregation, but he couldn’t seem to gather the nerve to approach her. He just thought to himself, ‘One day, I will say something…one day *heavy sigh!*.’
Adriana quickly found out life as an English teacher wasn’t nearly as exciting, adventuresome, and rewarding as all of the TEFL programs promised! She was one private student cancellation away from begging for a meal on Las Ramblas. She knew she had to make a tough decision and that was to leave her beloved Barcelona and go to another E.U. country for reasons of survival.
In the summer of 2007, Adriana returned to Barcelona after having lived in Germany, and unbeknownst to her she made the heart of one young man very happy. He earnestly hoped for the day he would see the woman he had fallen in love with, but his hopes grew dimmer and dimmer until that hot summer day he saw her again. ‘What can I say to her? Is she seeing someone?’ these questions pestered him relentlessly. Julius knew he had to say something, but every time he saw her, the words would linger in his heart before finally getting caught in his throat. He could only imagine what could happen if and when he’d speak to her…
(Julius humming the lyrics to Just My Imagination- The Temptations)
Adriana, known for her strength, independence, and straightforwardness was determined to get her footing in Barcelona and settle down in a place she considered a ‘second home’. Although, she did not know of the feelings of Julius, she too was thinking of matters of the heart...wondering when she would meet that special someone….
(Adriana whistling...I am Ready For Love – India Arie)
Adriana, known for her strength, independence, and straightforwardness was determined to get her footing in Barcelona and settle down in a place she considered a ‘second home’. Although, she did not know of the feelings of Julius, she too was thinking of matters of the heart...wondering when she would meet that special someone….(Adriana whistling...I am Ready For Love – India Arie)
For the next five months, Julius watched and waited…and...waited
…until the right opportunity presented itself. During those long months a calm and cool Julius carefully guarded his feelings, but his eyes were continually fixed on the woman that captured his heart…and all the while he thought….
(playing softly in the background...I Wanna Get Next to You - Rolls Royce)
On a cold December evening in a warm cafe, Julius finally met with Adriana to tell her how deep his feelings had become for her and in hopes she would give a shy, but nice, likeable guy like himself a chance. The poor girl, nearly fell out of her chair upon hearing the words of love and admiration being uttered by…wait! What’s his name…yea, Julius….nice name. ‘No way! I didn’t think he even knew I existed,’ she thought to herself.
‘Wait a minute, why does he have that look on his face? Is he trying to read my thoughts? Oh, no…he ‘s just nervous! Whew!’ she dabbed a napkin to her brow and wiped imaginary breadcrumbs from her skirt as she pondered, ‘Does this guy really know me? Does he know a woman like me?’
(the intro to 'Woman Like Me' – Beyonce stirs Adriana to re-evaluate her situation)
‘No! No! No! He’s not my type…we’re so different...we’re so, so…hold on a minute...Then, she thought of his forward but sincere approach, his love for her, his courage, and his polite manner. ‘Ummm, I should not give this up so quickly, let me see what this guy is about,’ she thought.
This humble, handsome, and honest unassuming young man courted the woman he loved with the intentions of getting her to fall for him…and as the saying goes…the bigger they are, the harder they fall! She was so smitten by her new beau she could hardly contain herself. Soon she was humming….
(`Best Is Yet To Come – Nancy Wilson')
…until the right opportunity presented itself. During those long months a calm and cool Julius carefully guarded his feelings, but his eyes were continually fixed on the woman that captured his heart…and all the while he thought….
(playing softly in the background...I Wanna Get Next to You - Rolls Royce)
On a cold December evening in a warm cafe, Julius finally met with Adriana to tell her how deep his feelings had become for her and in hopes she would give a shy, but nice, likeable guy like himself a chance. The poor girl, nearly fell out of her chair upon hearing the words of love and admiration being uttered by…wait! What’s his name…yea, Julius….nice name. ‘No way! I didn’t think he even knew I existed,’ she thought to herself.
‘Wait a minute, why does he have that look on his face? Is he trying to read my thoughts? Oh, no…he ‘s just nervous! Whew!’ she dabbed a napkin to her brow and wiped imaginary breadcrumbs from her skirt as she pondered, ‘Does this guy really know me? Does he know a woman like me?’
(the intro to 'Woman Like Me' – Beyonce stirs Adriana to re-evaluate her situation)
‘No! No! No! He’s not my type…we’re so different...we’re so, so…hold on a minute...Then, she thought of his forward but sincere approach, his love for her, his courage, and his polite manner. ‘Ummm, I should not give this up so quickly, let me see what this guy is about,’ she thought.
This humble, handsome, and honest unassuming young man courted the woman he loved with the intentions of getting her to fall for him…and as the saying goes…the bigger they are, the harder they fall! She was so smitten by her new beau she could hardly contain herself. Soon she was humming….
(`Best Is Yet To Come – Nancy Wilson')
On May 17, after a long conversation with Adriana’s parents via telephone and in the presence of close friends Julius promised his beloved to love her for the rest of his life and proposed marriage. Adriana readily accepted spending the rest of her life with the man she had grown to love …truly, deeply, madly.
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