How Did We Meet?

January of 2011 I was chatting with my best Dominican guyfriend named Reymon. We were talking about my planned trip to the Dominican Republic.  I was packing up my 3 beautiful girls to head to the Dominican Republic.  My kids are half Dominican so I wanted them to get the opportunity to know their grandparents and learn the language their other side of the family speaks.  What better way? Spending 5 months in the Dominican Republic, right?

I had been married to a Dominican man for 14 years and had 4 children with him.  I didn't want a Dominican man, but I saw how awesome Reymon was with his girlfriend.  He would NEVER cheat on his girlfriend as he loves her way too much.  He won't look at another woman let alone cheat with one.  So while we were talking I said.  Well maybe if I found a good guy like you but older I would consider a relationship. 

My friend said.  Oh Jennifer, there aren't many good Dominicans.  There are a few but I'm not sure.  I said well don't you know any single men that are as good as you? He said.. I have one friend who is a very strong Christian man.  I'm not sure, I don't think he likes women because there are women that have liked him, and he says he is not interested. 

"Are these women that liked him Christian women?" I asked. 

"Yes, Jennifer!  Good looking, Christian women, I think it is just him.  He said he is waiting for one from God.  I don't know if he will ever get married.  I think he is your age." said Reymon.

"Oh well, maybe he's Gay..  You don't know any other?"  I asked.

"No! Not anyone that I would say for sure that they would be good for you, I don't want you to get hurt and it be my fault."  Reymon said.

Ok.. Oh well..

Fast forward....

Me and the girls are living with their grandfather, and enjoying the country that I fell in-love with when I was 15 years old.  I decided to bring the girls to the beach and invited Reymon.  Reymon asked if he could invite his friend.  I said sure, the more the merrier.

Long story short this man became such an awesome friend.  But just that... a friend.

He had a truck so one day I asked him.  Cacique, I need to buy a washer machine, when I'm ready can we use your truck to bring it home? Sure I can bring you now!  No, No, I'm not ready, next week I will have some money.

About one half hour lady, Cacique arrived at our house with his washer machine.  Jennifer, please use my washer machine, you have the kids and I don't.  You can use this, and then when you get the money to buy your own, you can give this back.  Its no problem!  uhm.. Well.. this is not the ONLY sweet thing he did for me.  I remember writing home and telling my mom and bestfriend from home about the man at the pharmacy.  Cacique worked at the Pharmacy when we first met.

I work through the Internet, so Cacique went about 4 days from not seeing me online.  One day he called me and asked me if I was in cachon.  That is where I was living.  Yes I was.  About 20 minutes later Cacique showed up to Cachon with his computer and said for me to please use his computer.  He said he noticed I hadn't connected in a few days so I could use his computer so that I can do my work. 

Another thing was when I moved into my first home with the girls in the Dominican Republic we hit a bad Hurricane right away.  I was scared out of my mind.  The man I was seeing at the time (just getting to know him) rushed to his mother's side because he wanted to be with her.  (Yes a 52 year old man who's brother also lived with his mom so his mom would NOT be alone."

Cacique called me to ask me how I was doing with the upcoming hurricane in which I told him my fear.  He told me no worries.  I said you haven't seen where I live.  I'm in this huge house by myself and I'm scared. I tried to explain where I was living but he wasn't sure.  He told me not to worry.  I said but I am worried.  No matter what I said he kept telling me to put it in God's hands.  Sure.. Sure.. That's all I can do anyway. 

About a half hour later Cacique arrived with my best guyfriend who had showed him how to get to my house.  Cacique showed up with a flashlight, eggs, milk, and a bunch of other supplies.  He secured the home, made sure everything was ok, and prayed with me.  He told me not to be afraid.  I told him I would love it if I had someone there with me, hinting.

My best guyfriend called me later and said.. Cacique REALLY wanted to stay with us, but he didn't want me to have a bad reputation.  He didn't want the people around to talk about how I had a guy stay with me, even though nothing would happen between me and him it wouldn't look good.  He said he didn't care what people thought of him but as a woman he needed to protect my image since I wasn't from here and didn't realize what kind of images Dominicans give one another.  LOL..

Now with other things that happened with Cacique.. More things of what he did for me and the girls in our first few months of living on the island my mom was SHOCKED when I told her I was with a different man.  What about the man from the pharmacy? She said.. I have to respect your decisions, but I don't understand, that man was so good to you.  I said.. "Mom, he's too short, and his teeth are funny." I was afraid to also tell my mom that he was too white!

When Cacique and I started our relationship after I had broken up with the other man, He had shaved his head, and also fixed his teeth!! I always loved bald guys, but getting used to him with a bald head took awhile for me and the girls.  Now I love it.. :)

In the time that I was with the other guy, I completely grew up and changed.  I definitely wasn't ready to accept such a good man back then.  I had come to the country and wanted to dance, I loved to dance.  I wanted to be in the home of bachata and dancing.  Dancing Bachata is against the bible in this country.  Not because it literally says it in the bible but because it's cultural.  The reason is Bachata can be a very sensual dance, or sexy.  Therefore they don't allow it.  My husband is an extremely diehard Christian and would NEVER have it.  He would NOT compromise.  The good Lord took care of my dancing when I got into a motorcycle accident and hurt my knee.  I can't dance.. so that was just ONE way that the Lord worked on me. 

I didn't want a "good" guy.  I liked the "bad" guys.  That is what I got.  After be beaten up by him, I was ready for a good guy.  These are just a few ways the Lord worked on me and got me ready for my now Husband.