A love for the French language, character properties and one special woman made Andrew Guck move from the States to Languedoc without a backwards glance
From a young age, I possessed a rebellious spirit that defied convention. When my classmates chose Spanish as their second language in junior high, I, along with my adventurous friend Derek, decided to learn French against everyone’s advice. An unexplainable attraction to the language drew us in, and we followed our instincts with determination. Perhaps it was the influence of seeing Bart in an episode of The Simpsons embarking on misadventures in France that sparked our initial curiosity, or maybe it was simply a whisper of destiny guiding us towards this romantic language.
Our French journey began with Mrs Dumas, our French teacher, where we learned basic greetings, birthday songs and, admittedly, a few inappropriate phrases that got us detention. Mrs Dumas might not have been amused, but our resolve to explore the depth of the language remained absolutely unwavering.
LIFE-CHANGING MOVE
As time passed, life took us in different directions, and Derek and I lost contact for almost two decades. In 2010, fate brought us back together through social media. To my surprise, Derek had not only studied French in Paris but also become a pilot in the Coast Guard. Envious of his fluency, I decided to rekindle my passion for French to better my chances in the job market. I delved into books, CDs and online platforms, eager to reconnect with the language.
During this time, I connected with Alex, a beautiful French woman on LiveMocha, a language platform. We bonded over shared interests in music, films and our cultures. Despite the language barrier, we discovered a genuine connection transcending the limitations of words.
By the end of 2010, I found myself boarding a flight to France to meet Alex in person. It was a magical experience, and my love for her deepened with each passing day. We explored the stunning Occitanie region, creating lasting memories at places like Cirque de Mourèze, St-Guilhem-le- Désert, and Lac du Salagou, to but name a few. At St- Guilhem, we found ourselves lost in its charming medieval alleys, turning what was meant to be a quick visit into a delightful adventure.
The time came for me to return to New York, and we were torn apart by the vast distance between us. However, our commitment to each other only grew stronger. After months of long-distance communication and an emotional reunion, we made the decision to elope, pled
