REAL LOVE
The 10 years that I love you the most
Dear Natalia,
It’s been ten years since we’ve met in Odessa. Do you still remember? It was during a singles’ tour, with a bunch of other bachelors and ladies who were hoping to find somebody to love.
I was taken aback by how beautiful your eyes were when I first saw you. I didn’t think you would approach me at that time. Though I was pretty confident in how I looked, the other men were equally dashing or maybe even more so. I felt like I had no chance with you at all.
Still, you approached me, and I had never felt more noticed in my life.
(I still think it’s my paw print tie that caught your eye, no matter how many times you deny it. I fondly remember how animatedly we talked about our pets. We were equally surprised to know we both loved dogs.)
We talked about the most random things just to find excuses to spend more time with each other. From what kind of cheese we liked or how wearing socks to bed helped with cold feet, we jumped from one topic to another as though it was our last conversation. Though we talked about so much, the time we spent together felt so little.
When the event finally came to an end, I quickly wrote down your number and kept it inside the pocket of my well pressed slacks. Suffice to say, that night left me on a very good note. Others felt sad that the evening went by so fast. But not me. If anything, I looked forward to knowing you better, no matter how long or fast it took.
Then we had our first date.
Remember when you showed me around the city and we caught sight of the artist Wanjah’s works? I pretended not to know anything about Knyazheskaya Street just to break the ice.
(I wasn’t as smooth as I’d like to believe. I’m certain you saw right through me. Still, you indulged me and answered my questions. It wasn’t until later that I realized how quick you were to pick up on subtle signs!)
I genuinely loved the ambiance that Odessa had going. The architecture is nothing short of beautiful. Though Odessa was far from being the most lively of places, I felt serene and at peace.
Before I realized it, I fell in love with the place. And as the day went on, I found myself falling in love with you as well.
My time with the hotel was up and I was dead set on staying behind.
At first, I wanted to keep it a secret. I should have known it would backfire badly. I didn’t expect that it looked like I was ready to leave!
(That was when I realized that those relationship tips about communication were no joke at all. It was a no-brainer, and yet it still went over my head. Lesson learned)
Even though you were thoroughly upset with me, you managed to giggle over your tears. It was a sound that I wouldn’t mind hearing my entire life.
I made my resolve and became an expat in Ukraine
The move was not easy at first. I still had to adjust to the language difference as well as the environment.
We started looking at apartments in the Kievsky district, but it proved to be quite expensive. In fact, the ones really close to the city center were too far out of my budget at that time.
I really did appreciate the fact that you wanted me to live in a convenient place. But it didn’t matter to me whether I lived in a fancy apartment. I just wanted one that was close to you.
Though the one I ultimately chose in Malinovskiy district was a good 30 minutes away from you, it was manageable. You get a good price for the food and transportation. And judging by how frequently you used to come over, you like the environment as well.
Although there was one thing I did regret, and that was acting like a tough man in front of you. I was in dire need of help, especially with figuring my way around. It took me a while to get up on my two feet, with the generous help of my neighbors.
(Still, it would’ve been much better if I asked for your help. We could’ve had a mini date of some sort!)
It didn’t take a while before we got married, did it?
You were and still are the greatest thing that has ever happened in my life. You cried when I proposed, so did I.
My friends told me that we were moving too fast. Some rational part of me thought the same as well. But we just fit into each other’s lives so well that it didn’t really make a difference if we got married on the spot or 7 years later.
And I’m ever glad I was right. Because we wouldn’t have had our little Anna sooner. Right now, she’s coloring her tiger purple in her coloring book. You might have noticed by the looks of this purple stained letter.
And if you were to ask me if I still feel the same way I did when I proposed, I’d proudly say that I still do.
The love we have for each other is inimitable and irreplaceable. I’ve never met anyone who brought out ALL the best qualities in me. You accepted me for everything and I’m grateful to have such a wonderful wife such as you.
I can smell the borscht all the up here, and I’m pretty sure you have some other surprise cooking up for our anniversary. I can’t wait to see what you’ve prepared.
Forever and Always,
Mark
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