Four years ago I accepted a position in the Peace Corps, packed my bags, and left for the small Eastern European country of Moldova. I knew nothing about Moldova when I boarded the plane. All I knew was that I was ready for an adventure. As the plane made its descent into Chisinau I saw the patchwork quilt landscape of tiny family farms. It was lush, and green, and my new home for the next two years.
Sitting in the hot public transport mini bus I knew the weekends adventures would be fun. It had been a few weeks since I'd seen other Americans and I looked forward to the comradery, the laughter, and the English. The music loudly played from the souped-up stereo as the mini-bus zipped along the dusty dirt road. Sunflowers fields and cement houses lined the journey north. We stopped occasionally, picking up passengers in rural villages along the route. It was a hot day and the mini bus was crowded. I was glad to have a seat, even if it was next to a woman with truly offensive body odor. I didn't care, I was on my way to a party.
I had always noticed Sam. He was tall, and handsome, and had a unique sparkle. He too was at the party. I wouldn't call myself a particularly good flirt, but I wouldn't call him one either. I blushed and fumbled and chattered and to my surprise he, in his way, did the same.
It didn't take long for Sam and I to fall in love. We both shared similar passions and temperaments. It was much like stumbling into your best friend.
Dating in the Peace Corps is a unique experience. It's as if you jump ahead several months from the word go. When you date in the Peace Corps there often isn't the luxury of a get-to-know-you lunch, or a makeup-and-hair-done dinner and drinks. You start with a full weekend together and for better or worse you've made the trip, you've sweat through your one cute outfit, you've met his host family, you've asked for directions to the out-house, and you've decided that if he still likes you through all of this chances are he'll stick around.
And so, for the next year we saw each other nearly every weekend. We savored our time together. It wasn't always easy getting to each other, it often involved multiple buses and hitchhiking. Dates included long walks through crumbling village streets, drinking bottles of house wine, sharing a mug of tea, and watching a movie snuggled under a heavy wool blanket. It wasn't fancy but it was real. This is how we started.
After a year, Sam finished his service and returned home to the US. I stayed behind, one year under my belt, and one more to serve. We always knew this would happen. He would go, and I would stay. That didn't make it any easier. But, through tear stained eyes we promised to make it work.
It was tough readjusting to life without him. Skype became our new best friend. And, while he reacquainted himself back into life at home, I felt like time was standing still. While long distance was an adjustment we became comfortable with our routine. Days became weeks, became months, and before we knew it I too was closing my service and embarking on the journey home.
As a small town New England native I never imagined I'd end up in the Midwest. For no other reason but that I knew no one. Well, accept him. So, after two years away from my loving family and friends I shared the news that I would be moving again. This time it wouldn't be across the world but the time frame for return was a bit more blurry.
He found the perfect little apartment in the attic of a big old mansion. It's tiny, but it has indoor plumbing, so really we're #winning! I remember pulling into the driveway, having just driven the 15 hours from New Hampshire with my dad. "I'm so nervous", I gulped. Sam would be pulling in any moment. I hadn't seen him in months - and what if he had forgotten me - what if he had forgotten us - what if I just picked up my life and drove here to be rejected?
He hadn't forgotten me - he hadn't forgotten us - I picked up my life and moved here for a reason. The moment he pulled in the drive way I jumped to his door. He had barely gotten out of the car when I was finally in his arms again.
The next year and a half flew by. I met his family. I met his friends. I found work. We built a little life in the attic of a big old mansion. We planned, and spoke of the future, and it wasn't scary, it was natural and peaceful.
When our most recent adventure landed us in Iceland, and he bended down on one knee and asked me to marry him I, of course, said yes! Well, after a completely shocked and graceful response of "SERIOUSLY"?!
I believe someone said to me before leaving, "You know, a lot of people meet their spouse in the Peace Corps." To which I thought, "HA! What a joke". I guess the joke was on me.
I knew nothing about Moldova when I boarded that plane. All I knew was that I was ready for an adventure. Never could I have imagined it would be an adventure that would last a lifetime. And the best part, our greatest adventure, well that's yet to come.
Sitting in the hot public transport mini bus I knew the weekends adventures would be fun. It had been a few weeks since I'd seen other Americans and I looked forward to the comradery, the laughter, and the English. The music loudly played from the souped-up stereo as the mini-bus zipped along the dusty dirt road. Sunflowers fields and cement houses lined the journey north. We stopped occasionally, picking up passengers in rural villages along the route. It was a hot day and the mini bus was crowded. I was glad to have a seat, even if it was next to a woman with truly offensive body odor. I didn't care, I was on my way to a party.
I had always noticed Sam. He was tall, and handsome, and had a unique sparkle. He too was at the party. I wouldn't call myself a particularly good flirt, but I wouldn't call him one either. I blushed and fumbled and chattered and to my surprise he, in his way, did the same.
It didn't take long for Sam and I to fall in love. We both shared similar passions and temperaments. It was much like stumbling into your best friend.
Dating in the Peace Corps is a unique experience. It's as if you jump ahead several months from the word go. When you date in the Peace Corps there often isn't the luxury of a get-to-know-you lunch, or a makeup-and-hair-done dinner and drinks. You start with a full weekend together and for better or worse you've made the trip, you've sweat through your one cute outfit, you've met his host family, you've asked for directions to the out-house, and you've decided that if he still likes you through all of this chances are he'll stick around.
And so, for the next year we saw each other nearly every weekend. We savored our time together. It wasn't always easy getting to each other, it often involved multiple buses and hitchhiking. Dates included long walks through crumbling village streets, drinking bottles of house wine, sharing a mug of tea, and watching a movie snuggled under a heavy wool blanket. It wasn't fancy but it was real. This is how we started.
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| Photo Credit: Deanna Yurchuk |
After a year, Sam finished his service and returned home to the US. I stayed behind, one year under my belt, and one more to serve. We always knew this would happen. He would go, and I would stay. That didn't make it any easier. But, through tear stained eyes we promised to make it work.
It was tough readjusting to life without him. Skype became our new best friend. And, while he reacquainted himself back into life at home, I felt like time was standing still. While long distance was an adjustment we became comfortable with our routine. Days became weeks, became months, and before we knew it I too was closing my service and embarking on the journey home.
As a small town New England native I never imagined I'd end up in the Midwest. For no other reason but that I knew no one. Well, accept him. So, after two years away from my loving family and friends I shared the news that I would be moving again. This time it wouldn't be across the world but the time frame for return was a bit more blurry.
He found the perfect little apartment in the attic of a big old mansion. It's tiny, but it has indoor plumbing, so really we're #winning! I remember pulling into the driveway, having just driven the 15 hours from New Hampshire with my dad. "I'm so nervous", I gulped. Sam would be pulling in any moment. I hadn't seen him in months - and what if he had forgotten me - what if he had forgotten us - what if I just picked up my life and drove here to be rejected?
He hadn't forgotten me - he hadn't forgotten us - I picked up my life and moved here for a reason. The moment he pulled in the drive way I jumped to his door. He had barely gotten out of the car when I was finally in his arms again.
 |
| Photo Credit: Bill Hill |
The next year and a half flew by. I met his family. I met his friends. I found work. We built a little life in the attic of a big old mansion. We planned, and spoke of the future, and it wasn't scary, it was natural and peaceful.
When our most recent adventure landed us in Iceland, and he bended down on one knee and asked me to marry him I, of course, said yes! Well, after a completely shocked and graceful response of "SERIOUSLY"?!
I believe someone said to me before leaving, "You know, a lot of people meet their spouse in the Peace Corps." To which I thought, "HA! What a joke". I guess the joke was on me.
I knew nothing about Moldova when I boarded that plane. All I knew was that I was ready for an adventure. Never could I have imagined it would be an adventure that would last a lifetime. And the best part, our greatest adventure, well that's yet to come.
