Our story officially began before we even realized it...
Bira and I met on November 20th 2006 at the "Dia da Consciência Negra" parade on Avenida Paulista in Sao Paulo while I was studying abroad - we immediately connected, exchanged numbers and went on our first date soon after that. We had an unforgettable first date and planned on a second, but my study abroad was coming to an end one week later, and I never got to say goodbye.
Hoping one day I'd return to Brazil, I saved my cell phone with Bira's number.
and so it begins (again)...
This February 2009, I returned to Sao Paulo to study abroad for my Master's degree and...just in case...I brought that old cell phone from 2006. Remembering the amazing time and hoping for more I jotted Bira's number down right before my phone was being reset/reactivated. After 2 weeks in Brazil, getting back into the groove of speaking Portuguese, I finally built up the nerve to contact my former flame. I sent a text - "Hi, I'm that American girl you met 3 years ago...I'm back in Brazil, maybe we can get together". eh, you never know right? He immediately responds! "Of course I remember you...can we get together tomorrow?"
Those next 5 months in Brazil, Bira and I were inseparable, learned so much about life, each other, ourselves, and developed a relationship that we knew wouldn't end in July when I returned to the States. E agora...the distance is tough, but meu amor and I have made it work and twice since July i've gone back to Sao Paulo to visit him. Once in September, and then again in November to make our engagement official!
We're excited to share our experiences and adventures with you all on this visa journey!
