Ambiance Matchmaking Meet Attractive Singles
APPLY
SEARCH
MENU
Ambiance Matchmaking Meet Attractive Singles

Long-Distance Relationships – Part II

I decided I wasn’t going to travel like I had in the past. No planes, trains, boats, buses, or automobiles – I was going to travel by foot. I planned to walk forty-two days and 953 kilometers of the Camino de Santiago – a pilgrimage route starting in southern France and ending in northwestern Spain.

On day number thirty-two, I met him.

I arrived in Somport, Spain and checked into an albergue after a thirty kilometer day. As I lay in my cot trying to nap, I noticed a handsome “pilgrim” settle into the next bunk. He was tall with curly, black hair, olive skin, and piercing big, green eyes. He appeared to be in his mid-thirties. Trying not to wake me, he unpacked his eighty-liter backpack and headed outside. After my failed nap, I also headed outside for our community dinner, consisting of salad made with vegetables from their farm, bocadillos (the "humble sandwich" due to its low cost), and omnipresent large carafes of red wine. Two bocadillos and a carafe of wine later, I sat on a bench reading when he approached me and asked me what I was reading. He was very sweet, charming even. He seemed be unaware of how attractive he was, which made him more so. After only a brief exchange, I didn't expect what was to follow…

I snuck out at five am the next morning to start my twenty-eight kilometer walk. Still half-asleep and groggy from the wine, I heard what sounded like someone scurrying across the dusty, gravel road. To my surprise, it was him hurrying to catch up with me. With his broken but endearing English, he told me he also started his days at five am, and we must be "walking partners." He was cute and logical.

We ended up walking together for the following days – only the two of us walking through Spanish backcountry for eight to ten hours every day.

I learned as much about him as his mediocre English and my so-so Spanish would allow. He was from the heart of Barcelona, working as a high school professor by morning and spending time with his hundreds of friends by night. He loved his friends. He was cute, logical, and a loyal friend.

After another long day of walking, we checked into the albergue located inside an abandoned village. It had been four days since we met. Sitting down for a glass of wine, we quickly became friends with two other pilgrims and the four of us explored a nearby lake. I was the first to jump in and swim to the most remote area of the lake, separated by a land strip. I quickly noticed that he was swimming toward me, to this very remote part, far away from anyone else. Without saying a word, he grabbed me by the waist, held my face, and kissed me. I had officially started a romance on the Camino de Santiago, and there was an expiration date on our time together.

A seven day expiration, to be exact. I pushed this thought out of my mind and enjoyed every minute we had together. For that entire week, we were inseparable.

I didn't imagine anything coming from our time on the Camino, until one night when he asked me to finish the pilgrimage in Logrono and return to Barcelona with him. I remember his exact words: “I think there is something here, and I would like to explore it. I like you very much.”

I said yes without a doubt.

We spent mornings running alongside the Barcelona beaches, and everyday at four pm I would prepare lunch for when he returned from his rigorous day of teaching rambunctious high school kids. He wore patched-elbow sweaters and a gold pocket watch. We were only allowed to speak Spanish in his home.

The long, summer days were closing in on us, and I had already overstayed my Visa. It was time to leave the fictional Spanish life I had created for myself.

Then something else happened. As I was about to board my flight, he asked me to move to Barcelona…

Six months later, I sit here writing this article from our Barcelona flat. There's no expiration date this time.

Taylor Wade

Taylor is one of the founders of Ambiance Matchmaking. She now dedicates her time to curating content for our community through her podcast and blog. Writing and podcasting is the art of great story-telling. As a relationship writer and editor, she has always sought to capture the reality of the dating experience, full of drama, friction, and joy. The best mind is an open mind, so she specializes in asking questions and approaching a story without preconceptions.

More Blog Articles

Gratitude and Connection: How The Practice Of Gratitude Can Benefit Your Love Life

Learn how practicing gratitude can be a means for becoming a better potential partner when in search of love as well as cultivating more fulfilling relationships once we’ve found it.
Read more

The Unique Dating Scene of San Francisco

Learn how San Francisco’s distinctive social atmosphere comes from a blend of rich history, characterized by cultural revolutions and technical innovations, coupled with an abundance of entertainment options and inventive date ideas.
Read more

Self-Care and Conscious Dating: A Holiday Survival Guide

The stressors associated with dating or the pressure to be in a relationship during the holidays can be overwhelming. However, with the right mindset and tools, it's possible to not only survive the holidays but thrive!
Read more

How To Make A Good Impression On A First Date

Based on data from 20,000 dates, professional matchmaker reveals how to have a great first date.
Read more

How To Emotionally Detach From A Romantic Partner

Explore the art of emotional detachment. Understand why and how to create distance in relationships for your mental well-being.
Read more

The Best High-End Matchmakers In Miami

Explore Miami's crème de la crème of matchmaking. Delve into the unparalleled services of Ambiance Matchmaking, Kelleher International, and Janis Spindel.
Read more
1 2 3 20
magnifiercrossmenu linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram