4 My Love

There have been many love stories over the years. Some have ended in tragedy and some have lasted to stand the test of time. Love is not always easy and happy, but many will say its worth it. The famous quote from a British poet named Alfred Lord Tennyson, "Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all" is particularly relevant. The couple I interviewed for this agreed that love is worth fighting for and when you have a special connection you're always drawn to the other person. Although they haven't been together like other couples as in 50 years and more, they have been together for 27 years which is still a long lasting love. This is the love story of Adria and Earle.

Adria in this time was a straight tomboy dressed in baggy clothes, loose ponytail, played in lots of sports and hung out with more guys than women. She was very outgoing and family-oriented and strong in her faith. She felt she knew herself well in comparison to other teens her age. She visited her maternal grandparents frequently on the weekends and during the week after school. She lived with her father, paternal grandparents and older brother. She's always been daddy's little girl, always wanting to make him proud. He frequently went to Puerto Rico at least twice a year to visit his father and his significant other. 

One Friday night, he was dropping Adria off to her maternal grandparent's house because he was leaving for Puerto Rico the next morning for 2 weeks. She asked him for permission to attend her friend's birthday party to which he replied, "That is up to your grandparents." She thanked him and proceeded to get out of the car with her overnight bag to ask her grandparents' permission and to get dressed for the party. On her way into the building she saw 2 of her friends and 2 guys she didn't know sitting in the hallway talking. Little did she know one of those guys would later ask her for her phone number at the party.

So she danced with some of her friends, drank a couple of beers and she really enjoyed herself. So then she was getting ready to go back to her maternal grandparents' apartment because she had a curfew. So then a skinny tall guy called her over and wanted to talk to her. She said "I already have a boyfriend," with the assumption that he was asking her out. So the guy just simply introduced himself as Earle and he said if he and her can just be friends. She said "Ok.", but she knew that he was lying and he actually wanted to be more than friends. She just decided to not think too much about it and went back to her maternal grandparents. They asked, "How was the party sweetheart? Did you enjoy yourself?" "Yeah it was weird but it was very fun. I danced with my friends and I had a fun time.", Adria said. She hid the fact that she drank some beers. At the time, it was fine and they didn't really bother but her family did not like it when she did anything that teens her age shouldn't be doing at least yet.

So anyways, she was very tired out, but she was also hungry so she went to just grab a yogurt. She tried to eat it but she knocked out. She fell right into a deep sleep on the living room couch. Her maternal grandmother opened the couch into a bed so she can sleep on it with her because at the time she didn't have a bed. They couldn't afford it and the maternal grandfather Umpa needed it because of his conditions with his skin, bones and his back. And Adria's bed is too small for her maternal grandmother, Ama. On the other hand, Ama was super strong and she was healthy and she looked young for 64 year old. They all went to sleep in their places and that was the rest of the night.

Adria woke up the next morning and someone knocked on the door. It was her father. He said that his flight was cancelled so he was coming to pick her up and bring her back home. She wanted to stay a bit longer with her grandparents and she told him that at that moment. He said it was fine and he went back home. He felt sad because he had a whole day planned for the both of them. But he just kept driving back home. So Adria went downstairs to take down the trash and she met Earle again. This time Earle asked her "Do you want to go this pizza place I found not so far from here? As friends of course. And we can get to know each other better. She said ,"I don't know. I will have to ask my grandparents first. Let me see and I'll come back down to let you know." Earle was a bit worried Adria's grandparents would say no, but he left it alone. Adria asked and they said yes but she has to be back before 1:00. But now Adria was asking herself I just met Earle at a party yesterday. I don't know if I should do this. Then, she saw that he was worried. She said in her head, "Fine. Whatever. It is not going to be like this is a thing every day or every other day." So they went and talked about their hobbies, ideas and other teen stuff. They decided that they would be good friends and they started hanging out more. And Adrai thought it wouldn't become a thing. Her maternal grandparents started getting suspicious. They let Adria's father Ben know about it. He was pissed. Adria and Earle were going to catch a surprise.

So Adria and Earle started hanging out more, even when she went back with her father. They were friends for about a few months. At that time they both started having feelings for each other but many things in their life took them apart. Then, when they both finally had the chance, they told each other that they liked each other and not like friends. Then they officially started dating but they both kept it a secret from anyone they both knew and love. It was going very fast and then finally on May 30th, they had their first kiss at the same pizza restaurant. Adria's father caught them and he was pissed. He punished her and he separated them. They hadn't seen each other for a few months and it was already the next year in. Adria spoke up and her father was shocked. Then they had the talk and they made an agreement to not go too fast. So Adria and Earle were finally in an actual relationship. They started getting older and older. They soon had kids way after. They had 2 girls, one named Mia and the other named Charlotte. They both had beautiful brown eyes. They grew up to be amazing women. Then Earle had cheated on Adria with another girl and he regretted it. Adria then met another man named Jaden and they became a couple and then they had a boy named Lucas.

Adria and Jaden went through tough times and they broke up because of threats Jaden made of taking Lucas away. Jaden was verbally and physically abusive. It was an abusive and toxic relationship. Adria left him and Jaden never knew and never knows now wheere they are. Then Earle apologized and did all he can and to get Adria back. Then they came back together and when Lucas met Earle for the first time, he didn't cry. He cried with everyone else in the family except Adria and this shocked Adria. She knew it was meant for all of them to be a family. They all grew up and things changed. Earle went to jail because he was falsely accused of a crime. He is coming out soon and he will be with his family again. Adria went through lots of stress with her kids and with life and her job. But she was strong, hardworking and she still is now. Mia and Charlotte are hard workers and they have their own jobs and they have their dreams they want to accomplish. Mia is an artist in visual art and sometimes in her writing. Charlotte is an amazing writer and she is a hard worker. Both of them are. Charlotte and Mia have lots of tough times with life and each other but they are helping take care of Adria and their little brother Lucas.

Lucas is one of a kind, just like his older sisters. He loves to dance, sing, write, act and perform. He also wants to be an activist and wants to help save the world from all harm to nature and to all people. This entire family is a great team. All of them went through a lot and still go through a lot. This is a true story. All of these names aren't their real names. Including Lucas. I am Lucas, but that is not my real name. This is the story starting from how my mom and step dad met and how my family started and is still running. I love my family and my mom and step dad. I love my sisters, all my grandparents, cousins, aunts. And there is more to the people in this story. There is so much to tell. But that is for another time and another story to be soon told.