Behind the Blogger: The Man Beside the Blogger

Hola!
It’s time for another Behind the Blogger series post. We were first asked to share a bit about ourselves and motivation for blogging in the first post. If you missed that post, read it here. Now, Jess from Domicile 37 is asking that we share a bit about the man beside the blogger. Be sure to stop by my friend’s blogs at the end of my post to see what they have shared.

When I first started my blog, my intention was to share the extent of my Latina life being married to a gringo, or American man. So, I am very excited to be able to share a bit about my hubs. When I describe him to people I typically say that he is a big, bald man that looks like he is in the military or a police officer. I didn’t always describe him that way, but he kept being asked if he was a cop one summer. Many of the places took one look at him and would ask how long had he been in the service. He hasn’t served in the military nor any type of public service position.

We met on a blind date set up by another couple. What is a bit destined about the situation was that my good friend was his good friend’s wife. Both friends had decided that we should meet. Somehow, in the years of friendships, birthday parties, and BBQs my hubs and I never met! It was as if we weren’t suppose to until that blind date.

He popped the question 16 months later and we were married 4 months later….in secret. Let me explain this. Typically, in Latin cultures there would be two ceremonies. One to sign the marriage certificate which is attended by immediate family members, then there is the big wedding ceremony and reception. We held the small marriage certificate signing with just our parents and siblings as a backyard ceremony. Seeing that we had already invited people to a destination wedding for the following year, we thought we would hold off on telling extended family. Just in case they decided not to come since we were already married.

We announced at our wedding reception in the Dominican Republic, my family’s country of origin, that we had in fact been married already and would be celebrating our first year of marriage just 2 months later. There was mixed feelings about that from our friends and family.

When it comes to being a family man, my hubs is quite popular among the kids. They don’t get to spend as much time with him as he would like since he works long hours. So when they do, it means the world to them.

I find that Chi-Chi is the most like him and loves their time together. This is one of my favorite pictures of them. Twins!

He is a great husband, and wonderful father, and my best friend. I definitely feel his support as I continue to grow my blog. We are each other’s partners in life and I would’t trade him for anyone else. It took some time to find each other and we have both had our struggles in other relationships, but that has only prepared us to be the best we can be for each other. I’ve always been a believer that your past experiences prepare you to deal with future experiences.

Perhaps we could have met during our friend’s events. However, we wouldn’t have been the people we were when we met. I thank God every day for bringing him into my life and for blessing me with my family.