The warmth of the sun embraced me today. It told me to love, say a prayer for gratitude and remember my blessings. I had a wonderful time with new friends. A time with Josué’s chatter, Jesse’s gentle personality and a nostalgic connection with Fabian.
Our day started going around downtown to take my photoshoot. I felt some jitters down my spine anxious to meet Fabian. He was just as I recalled, Tall, brown skinned and handsome. We started down Los Angeles street and surprised at the amount of gentrification, I couldn’t stop gazing up. The tall buildings replaced homes and lands of the many people and businesses. A sense of sadness fell over me quietly. Click. I posed. We continued down the street. Josué’s bubbly personality made me smile. We came across a small shop. Josué took a photo with the shop owner.
me puedo tomar una foto contigo?
Sí
The hispanic man began to brush down his hair and took off his sweater. Josué lit his blunt. Click!
Cual es el puntaje?
3–1
Like many cultures, especially the Mexican culture, there’s a love and hate relationship with football and it’s people. Laughing at the score as we shimmered down the street, our conversations filled the air. Jesse was enjoying the day as we took some more photos. Feeling a bit shy, I posed the best I could, and while Fabian was looking at me through his lens, I too, looked at him through mines.
Stay like that.
Click.
Your hair is in the way.
Click.
I don’t want you to walk too much because of your heels.
Click.
I noticed his patience and passion. His eye for taking in the smallest of details. He finally caught my eye. We looked at each other with questions. How long had we known each other? When did we first connect? Strangers finally meeting always filled the gaps in our conversation. Amused, we started walking back. With more conversations about Drake, the Mexican football league, life threatening accidents, and jokes through the traffic we finally made it to Santa Monica beach.
Santa Monica beach came as no surprise. It looked exactly how I had seen it through tv shows and movies. Although, Covid-19 was on the rise, the people of LA were out and in crowds. Somtimes, I love looking through my window. I get a huge grasp on life. I appreciate my surroundings. The gift I always took for granted when I was a younger version of me. I remembered back when I was first taught my affirmation. My phone reminded me in an instant.
My greatest possesion in life is simply the gift of another day.
I remembered the people rooting for me. The faces of strangers, hospital scents and nurses. We quickly parked and started walking towards the beach. I felt alive. Extraordinary alive. Maybe it was the good company. Maybe it was God’s plan showing me another side of his greatness. Or maybe, it was the feeling of love. Genuine whole hearted love that I seek everyday inside of me.
Walking towards the water felt cold. As the waves gushed through my toes, I felt anxious.There were times when I would look at Fabian. Sometimes wanting to ask questions he may be reluctant to answering. His eyes sprung with wrinkles when he laughed. He said he looked at people as portraits but I wonder if he looked at himself as one too. My back was wet because of the water and some of the shots we took. It was good to be myself. Showing the best version of me. Veiled. Relaxed. Content.
We stumbled upon Mexican wrestling in the midst of the beach. I was explained the enemy in spanish was always the favorite. I wondered if I ever went to Mexico, it would definitely be with Josué, Jesse and Fabian. They did such a wonderful job translating and explaining to me their experiences growing up in a mexican household, adventures together and with delicious mexican food- which I still have to get the full taste of. As we drove off in the sunset, I listened to Fabian’s tales about his high school basketball team, his relationship with his dad and Josué’s birthday party. It’s amazing how many experiences I was apart of, though I wasn’t fully present in their lives, their vibrant stories made me feel right there with them. Although we said our goodbyes late into the maghreb time, It didn’t end here.
Our friendship will continue. I got down from the car and stood awaiting infront of Fabian’s arms. With a hug full of joy and true happiness I told him we would meet again. In sha allah. And as they pulled off, my mind rewinded to the start of the day. My heart spoke to me and repeated, the warmth of the sun embraced me today. It told me to love, say a prayer for gratitude and remember my blessings.
