Friday, January 27, 2012

Forty-two years ago today…

I flew to Spain to join DH. He was in the U.S. Navy and this was his duty station for the next 3 years and two months.  He arrived in Spain near Christmas the month before, and started looking for an apt. for us to live in off base. 

He ended up finding one on the beach, for $75 a month.  We were on the 5th floor of an 8 story building.  Our apt. faced east so that we always saw sunrises over what we called hump-back mountain.  From our apt. we could also see the gold dome of the cathedral in Cadiz across the bay.  We could see ships coming and going from the port and little fishing boats as well.

My family took me to the airport in Miami, and my flight was late afternoon. This was my FIRST airplane flight, so I was a bit scared.  I landed in Madrid after a long flight, and had to wait for a connecting flight to Sevilla, where DH would pick me up.  I could not speak Spanish, couldn’t find any information booths open early in Madrid so didn’t know where or when my next flight was. I had about a 3 hour wait and just wandered near the information booths.  After some time and much worry and prayer, an American gentleman came up and asked me if I needed help and I told him my situation.  He showed me the flight board and told me which flight and when my plane would be leaving.  He asked if I’d had anything to eat and I said no, so he bought me an orange juice and a pastry.  I thanked him. He had said he was flying to Rota too, but not on my flight. He saw me to the gate of my flight and I got on board.

When I got to Sevilla, DH wasn’t there to greet me.  He had gotten lost.  He had stayed the night before in Sevilla, and had left early enough to get to the airport, but being a newbie in a foreign country, got lost. He asked directions and headed to the airport which was on the outskirts of the city. I probably had to wait 20-30 minutes.  What joy when I finally saw him. I told him about the gentleman in Madrid, and we waited for the next plane from Madrid to thank him, but the man wasn’t on it.  We left and headed off to our new home as newlyweds in Rota, which was several hours away. We said the man must have been my ‘guardian’ angel, and I still feel that way to this day.

We were blessed to have gotten the duty station in Rota during the Vietnam war. We were blessed to have started our life out there. The influence and the memories of that time are still with us.

We loved living in Spain and traveling around the country.

I’ve no pictures to share as they are all on slides right now.

Our adventure is still going on.

FlowerLady

***

Be glad of life

because it gives you the chance

to love and to work and to play

and to look up at the stars. 

Henry Van Dyke

29 comments:

Jane said...

What a wonderful story , Rainey! And what a wonderful place to begin your life. I believe that man might have been your guardian angel. It's nice to think that!

Darla said...

Very sweet. I do believe that was a guardian angel.

denimflyz said...

What a wonderful, and charming story. I would of been frightened out of my mind, personally, but when you are young, and in love, you can take the world on and win.
You are so very blessed to find someone who is loving and caring and between both, still take on the world...the adventure continues.
Hugs

Morning's Minion said...

Guardian angel stories rather give me goose bumps--the good kind.
My first plane ride was also alone, also to meet my husband, but only from Vermont to Georgia--he was trucking at the time and found he would have a lay-over at his parent's home for Thanksgiving, so asked that I fly there to meet him for the holiday.

Lona said...

I believe it was a guardian angel. I have had experiences which I know could not have been anything but angels watching over me. What a wonderful story.I imagine living in Spain for awhile was a wonderful and beautiful experience. Have good weekend.

Anonymous said...

Hey you,

Well, at least I had a teeny little rental car to drive up and down those skinny little streets in Sevilla, looking for the dang airport. (I don't think we had the MG yet.)

Jean Campbell said...

I agree with Lona. Angels come in all disguises and I've seen a few.

Congratulations in 42 years. We recently past the 50 year milestone. I hope your DH finds something wonderful, curbside, to help celebrate, lol.

Marti said...

What a wonderful way to start your lives together. And thank you to your guardian angel, wherever he is.

Diana Studer said...

A braver woman than I. We travelled to Switzerland together.

Darcie said...

What a wonderful little glimpse into you and your husbands love story. Loved reading it, and imagining your days together.

Annie said...

Wonderful story,what an adventure!

Kit said...

Lovely story! How exciting to live in a foreign country. What great memories you must have. Kit

Sandy said...

I just loved reading this sweet touching story about you and your husband. I imagine living in Spain would indeed be wonderful. And the gentleman was probably your guardian angel for sure. The Van Dyke quote is a perfect one to go along with your charming story.
Have a lovely weekend.
Hugs~

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

Congrats to you and DH, FL. I think life is an adventure and you have had a wonderful one! xxoo Nancy

BernieH said...

Wonderful story! It does indeed sound like you had a guardian angel to help you both start off your life together. It must have been fantastic beginning your new life there in Spain. 42 years together is something to be proud of!

HolleyGarden said...

What a sweet story. What a great adventure to have had living in another country, especially when you're young and in love.

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Such a great story. It is great to see people in love. Somehow, I'll bet you two would be happy anywhere as long as you are together, but that sure sounds like a romantic place to start!

Anonymous said...

This was a good reflection we can all relate to. Whether a guardian angel, an angel, a herald, a messenger from God, I believe he was sent to help you and keep you calm. Our own neighbors or total strangers can be angels or messengers from God at one time or another. Thanks. Phil/Minnesota

NickiLee said...

I just loved your story and could see you taking your steps through Spain. I loved living in Sevilla and really enjoyed my visits to Rota... amazing that we were there just about the same time. I'm thrilled for you that you are still very happy together and taking more steps to a wonderful life together.

Big hugs!

Karen said...

Hello Rainey, what a wonderful story about your newlywed days. I would have been so scared to go on an airplane (I have never flown yet!) You are so brave. I'm sure the gentleman was a Guardian Angel, I firmly believe in them. I bet the 42 years have flown by, haven't they? So much love you two have shared, so inspiring.

gld said...

I agree, he was your guardian angel.

What a lovely story. Congratulations on your anniversary. We are nearing our 51st.

NanaK said...

What a sweet and inspiring story. I love hearing about couples who remain in love forever.

Balisha said...

I loved the story. What wonderful memories you both must have...and the romance continues today.
Balisha

Masha said...

Lovely story, it must have been wonderful. My husband and I travelled all over Europe before we moved to the US and your story brought back so many memories...

tina said...

I so enjoy re-mincing with you. Spain is a country I never visited but can relate to being a foreigner in a European country. We all need guardian angels such as found you. It is these small kindnesses from others that truly make life memorable. So cool to be able to live on the beach!

sweetbay said...

What an adventure to have started your married life with. I've never been to Europe and probably never will because I'm terrified to fly! lol

Susan said...

What a neat story. Life is definitely an adventure and love gives us the courage to do many things we never thought we could do. I'm sure you've got many wonderful memories from starting your life together out in Spain.

Val said...

I love guardian angel stories, newlywed days stories, travel stories, and...pastries and juice. :) How sweet this was to read! ♥

GK said...

I love real life love stories!! Thank you for sharing yours.