I, Steven, first met Valerie through coworkers while living in São Paulo. My internet dating profile that she still teases me about said: Taller than you in heels. I enjoy traveling, meeting new people, and the Oxford comma. International teacher from California currently on loan to Brazil for 3 years.
Skills: Spider killer, Best hair where I work, Restless, Blindly optimistic.
Looking for someone who is: Kind, Intellectual, Affectionate.
Through months of trying to get her attention she agreed to go on a date with me. I knew afterwards that I have to love this woman as much as I can for as long as I can.
November 23, 2016
While Valerie and Steve had a few run-ins at school, they both joined for their friend's birthday party. Valerie always says she does not remember his beard, and every time Steve mentions a beard he famously says, "I grow a very forgettable beard." Because Valerie and Steven sat next to each other at the birthday happy hour. Where he talked about reading the book, "It." Valerie never cared to scare herself while living alone in a foreign country. She does remember him mentioning playing Mario Kart, and she wished she could play with him, but she did not remember him having a beard...
January 20, 2017
Steve started to take the bus the with Vila Madalena crew
February 02, 2017
The Vila Madalena crew went out to a campy and slightly disappointing burlesque show. Steve was bringing his best flirting moves by showing up in a suit. As the drinks and flirting continued our friend said "I bet these two get married."
Later into the night Steve and Valerie crashed her friend's first date with her now husband.
February 10, 2017
During the month of Carnival, the parties in Vila were non-stop. One Saturday Steve asked the group chat who wanted to meet at the Popsicle bar. Valerie was the only response... Leading to a long day of drinking, but Valerie tried to leave Steve in the friend zone by calling him a Hufflepuff. He went home with hanging shoulders.
February 11, 2017
The hufflepuff comment got Steve thinking about how to impress Valerie.
February 23, 2017
Valerie went to Floranopolis for a beachy girls trip during our week off for Canival. Her body was physically with her friends, but her loins were day dreaming being with Steve.
February 24, 2017
Exploring Easter Island has me thinking of you.
February 25, 2017
Hey girl.
February 26, 2017
Sunrise photos for you, my sweet.
February 27, 2017
I would love to go on adventures with you.
February 28, 2017
Wet hair, don't care.
March 01, 2017
While Steven often offered his beautiful patio with view for Valerie to grade papers at, she often responded that she needed to focus at a desk when working on higher level math. She already told her friends when they returned from trips, if he asks her out on a real date, she would go. As they settled back in from their trips and school was starting again, he asked her out for Thursday night, March 9.
March 08, 2017
Steven took the bus home with the Vila crew. He got off at Valerie's stop to go to a frame shop to frame an Easter Island scroll. She joined in. She asked if he wanted to go to a little cafe. They ended up at Julice's cafe sharing a quiche, having fresh juice, and tea as a pre-date to the anticipation of the following night.
The first date night was exciting. As Valerie dressed for the event, she had her friend come over and check her outfit. Steven met her at her apartment entrance and they walked up hill to a restaurant named Chef Vivi. They each ordered a gin and tonic, maybe two, the ahi tuna, and wine. As they walked back done to her street, on the corner of Rua Purpurina, and Rua Harmonia, they kissed for 2 hours. Beyond any shadow of a doubt, the most exciting make-out of all time. #Brazil
The following months were filled with so much fun dating. There was wooing and romance. Flowers and dancing. Courting and canoodling. Going to Lollapalooza music festival, a romantic weekend away in Campos do Jordāo, a lovely trip to a local German town, where two toucan flew over our car. Local hiking with friends, and a visit from a good friend from Switzerland. Leading into Valerie's most elaborate Indiana Jones surprise birthday extravaganza. After my 30th birthday party I called my parents to tell them that I had a boyfriend. I was madly in love and that I couldn’t imagine a more perfect ying to my yang. Steven wanted Valerie to move in. Valerie wanted to get matching tattoos. They compromised by having a baby. Benjamin was born January 8th, 2018. The following July, the 3 moved to Atlanta, Georgia. The explorations continued with kissing on mountain tops and holding hands on new beaches.
