Episode 4: No Place Like Home

They say home is where the heart is. But no one tells you what happens when your heart is on the other side of a pandemic, your wallet is empty, and the only thing standing between you and the love of your life is — everything.

I'm Charity Nicole, and this is Living DANGERously in Love. A podcast for anyone who believes love is the biggest, scariest, most beautiful adventure you'll ever choose.

When we left off, I was stranded in Lithuania. My flight to Belarus was a phantom. My "Peace of Mind Protection Plan" was a joke. And after five days of living, eating, sleeping, and crying in airports across the world, I was standing at a bus stop with nothing left but tears and a stranger's hand on my shoulder.

Then she said four words that changed everything — “Then, we find another way."

This is the story of how I finally made it to Eribel. Through 20 months apart. Through 88 weeks. Through 614 days of longing. Through nine countries and an infinite supply of faith.

It's about the kindness of strangers who become angels. About a man who walked 90 minutes for an astrology app and flew across the world for love. About the moment when all the chaos, all the tears, all the almosts finally gave way to something I'd almost forgotten existed:

Hope.

And when I stepped off that plane in Minsk, Belarus — exhausted, bald, and carrying the weight of the world in two suitcases — I found something I never expected.

Home.

Grab your coffee, wine, or Cuban rum — and welcome to the Dangerously in Love Crew. This is the reunion you've been waiting for.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Wait, are we ready?

SPEAKER_01 0:02

Passports?

SPEAKER_00 0:03

Check. Open heart.

SPEAKER_01 0:06

Suitcases?

SPEAKER_00 0:07

Zippin' them up. Now listen. You know how couples have those we almost didn't make it stories? Well, ours involves a rejected trip, two empty wallets, and a plan so risky it would make our mothers faint. I'm Charity Nicole, and this is Living Dangerously in Love, a podcast for anyone who believes love is the biggest, scariest, most beautiful adventure you'll ever choose. So grab your coffee, wine, or Cuban rum, and welcome. Each week I'm pulling up a virtual chair to share the messy, scary, and absolutely glorious story of how my husband and I said to hell with the odds and built a life together. Welcome to the Dangerously in Love crew. Just when you finally found what you've been yearning for, here comes the rain. Now you can whip out that umbrella you keep in your bag to shield yourself, or you can choose to dance in it. So there I am, one hopeful foot on the bus, one foot out in despair, one step closer to Eddie Bell, one going back. And this bus out of Lithuania was my last choice. Except here the driver is telling me that it never was an option. At this point, I'm running out of options, time, funds, and patience. As I stepped off that bus, I couldn't control the storm that brewed inside of me. Rain poured out of my eyes, flooding my face. Thunder boomed in my ears, and I could not hear a thing. Not until this stranger I met just six hours ago put her hand on my shoulder and said, Then we find another way. And wow, did I ever need to hear those words? When I tell you that hope is the last thing you lose and the first thing you need, and sometimes you find it where you least expect. At that moment, it was from this woman who didn't know me, didn't have to care about what happened to me, didn't need to take the time out of her day, but chose to anyway. And just like that, the storm clouds began to part just a little. I couldn't yet see the sun, but I could remember it was there. I could remember what I would give to feel it on my face again. You're getting all emotional just remembering all of this, you know? Side note, this is what I mean when I talk about being a light in the world. Like, you don't need to know someone to make a meaningful difference in their life. Sometimes you just need to give a damn. And so now remember, like, it's not just like, oh, where do I want to go? Let me just get this flight. No. So there's COVID happening. So places I need certain vaccinations, I need certain tests. Okay. I had to find a testing spot a few times along this trip where I can do a COVID test in order to get on the plane. There's the whole aspect of politics where I can travel with a visa. Oh, here I can go because it's a visa on arrival. Here I can't go because I have to apply. Like, you know. And then there's a factor of money. Like, I have enough, like the money I have is for us to live on until we figure out what we're doing. I do not have money to be buying extra plane tickets that I already covered. Like, what? And now that the bus doesn't work out, my mom was like, Charity, you need to come home because this is not safe for you to just be traveling around, living in airports. You don't know where you are, you don't know the language, like you're alone, this is not safe, you need to come home. And it really seemed like, wow, this might be the end. Except, no, there was no way I'm leaving Eddie Bell in a strange country on his own, like to figure out no, no, I'm making it to that man. I don't know how, I don't know when I'm get there, but I know that I am making it to my man. So we walked back to the airport and began searching. Ways to travel to Belarus from Lithuania. By land, no longer an option. By sea? No way. By this point, I'm ready to empty my bank account and figure the rest out later. Now, Kiwi.com still refused to give me my money back or take any accountability for the mess up in Tel Aviv, even after I took to Instagram to vent. But it seemed that the only flight option I had would require me to go through them yet again. So I reluctantly booked the flights. At 3:40 p.m., I would fly out of Vilnius, Lithuania on a 3-hour, 40-minute flight to Kataisi, Georgia. Let me tell you, before this, I didn't even know that Georgia was a country. To me, it was the state with Atlanta in it. Georgia Peaches, Outcast, Sierra, TLC. Anyway, a very different Georgia. Though I would definitely need some TLC after this trip. If it ever ends. So according to my new itinerary, I land in Georgia by 8.20 p.m. with an 18-hour layover. So I found the cafe cart that had a small seating area and the discreet outlet where I could charge my phone. The young lady working there, like at the cart, came and asked if I wanted their Wi-Fi that's faster. Yes, please! And I made myself comfortable and distracted. Watching about 15 hours of Netflix and talking to Eddie Bell, of course. Actually, let me put him on.

SPEAKER_01 7:47

Hola, hola. Mira, I can dance anytime, any place, no matter how many people are watching or the size of the crowd. I just feel at home, you know. But when it comes to doing all this talking in English, especially when my beautiful wife tells our story so well that it brings me right back to those moments, and I feel it all again. That's one of her gifts, you know. She's a storyteller. It's not my thing though. But I really want to share my perspective when the relevante. Starting with how we met. And so you heard about how our eyes met for the first time at La Claqueta Bar. But listen, that was actually when our eyes met, when she saw me for the first time, but it wasn't when I saw her for the first time. That happened hours ago, even before we went out that night. You see, I was sitting in this living room waiting for everyone to arrive with this, which is not typical for me, because uh almostly all the time people are waiting for me to arrive. That's something I had to work on. But yes, when this gorgeous shiny woman walked in and took over all my attention, it was like seeing an angel. She truly lightened the whole room, and I could swear I heard jingle bells and felt fireflies in my stomach. She greeted everyone, and even the smell of her perfume was mesmerizing to me. I could say it was love at first sight. At least to me. I had recently come out of a long-term relationship with someone I cared and respected. We ended on good terms because when you are with someone for so long, and you have heard so many times of your life, I can give her to then become enemies, you know. So that doesn't make sense. So that was that. But what I was feeling in that moment was just amazing. It was like everything was happening for this reason, so that I could meet this wonderful woman. And so while we are at the outdoor bar with the live music and doing my thing, dancing and enjoying, I couldn't take my eyes off of her. My friends noticed, and we started talking, and they told me she was there last year, too. That she's so sweet and tremendous fina. Shake the Q1 dictionary for that meaning. Or easier, you can ask me. But that we make a good couple, they were telling me as well. And they kept on gassing up, oh, even more. This vision that I had begun to form in my head already, even more, even though I knew she was there just visiting, you know. But who needed to think about that in that moment? Until finally she saw me. Finally, and I captured a smile, like, oh, I like it, kind of vibe. And so I gather all my confidence, walk to her, ask her for a dance, and she said yes. I wanted to bring her into my world and show her my cue and salsa with my sasson, you know. She followed so flawlessly, and so flirt on loco. We were in sync, and if there was any misstep, we just laughed, celebrated it, and kept enjoying. I didn't want the song to end, I wanted to dance with her all night. Well, you know, we were played cool and enjoyed dancing with our friends and clients, and so when it was time for the bar to close, me and my group of friends found another bar to go dancing and invited her and her friends to come to. That was a magical night. We basically danced one song after another, no matter what the DJ played, got to know her better, and there was no doubt that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with this woman. And so the next day, I'm talking with the dance school's representatives, just like having a chat, you know, and I asked about her. And so I received more affirmations about her until the owner of the dance school I was working for and friend tells me she's a great person and deserves someone who takes her seriously. I know you're a good guy, but are you willing to take her seriously? And I remember thinking that I didn't want to live in the US. I never liked the idea of being there or living there because my bag of cons was heavier than my bag of pros, you know. Um that's something that we don't have to get into right now. But those were thoughts that were going through my head, you know. But in the end, thinking about like how she made me feel and how much I wanted to be with her. So my answer was yes. I definitely wanted and was willing to take her seriously. Yes.

SPEAKER_00 13:57

Neither of us could have foreseen all of this happening, but thankfully, neither of us would change our response even if we had. This was it. He and I. This was it. The last time I would be nervously awaiting a flight with the uncertainty of whether or not it actually existed. This was it. The last hours I would be anxiously awaiting a reunion with Miyamor. This was it. September twelfth, I would finally fly to Minsk, Belarus on a short three hour and five minute flight. Now remember, I left New York on September 8th. At this point, I've been living, eating, sleeping, COVID testing, researching, sinkbathing, crying in airports all over the world for five days. I'm not sure you heard me. That's five days of riding this emotional roller coaster of uncertainty. And let me tell you, I was exhausted. I had only really gotten sleep on the plane rides because that's the only time I knew my belongings were safe. But then again, that was also the only time I had free meals to eat and mini snacks and wine, I mean water bottles I could collect and save for later. It was all a constant balancing act, and I was just about ready to topple over. But finally, my flight is boarding. I'm waiting in line, first class, business class, economy. The flight attendant takes my ticket, looks at me, looks at my ticket, rips it and tells me to have a nice flight. Woohoo! And just like that, I had this burst of energy. I felt hopeful, excited, triumphant. I swear to you, I happy danced down that airbridge like it was the catwalk of a savage fenty fashion show. Forget needing to feel the sun on my face. I was shining so much, I was the sun, okay? And right away, I brightened Eddie Bell's day with an I'm on the plane video call. All giddy and cheesing. People must have thought it was my first time leaving the house. But little did they know, I was finally going home to a country I've never been to, didn't speak the language, and had no idea what to expect, but home nonetheless. Because that's where my heart was. And when I tell you, I was so relieved that I knocked out. I'm talking mouth open, drool, and everything. Until a lovely flight attendant was waking me up to see if I wanted dinner. Thank you, ma'am, because I was hungry. And as I ate, the food must have fueled the butterflies in my stomach because ah I was finally about to see Eddie Belle. After 20 months apart. After all these obstacles made us fear it wouldn't happen. After shaving my hair and gaining COVID weight. I oh my goodness, what had I done? And the insecurities began whirling through me like a tornado. All this built-up anticipation, only for me to show up looking like a fat boy. Like, when I show up at the Airbnb, this man is gonna think someone is breaking in. Like, wait, did Charity send her brother? Oh my goodness, I wish I was being dramatic about the thoughts racing through my head. My no-hair having head. Okay, I need to stop. Eddie Bell supported my big chop in July, comforted me during my depression in August, and cheered me on as I began working out and making healthier choices. He's seen me every day through pictures, through video calls. Not once has he looked at me any differently. I need to give this man some credit. And maybe walk from the airport. You see, this is why I had my therapist laughing every week. Oh, there it goes again. That feeling in my stomach. But wait, this time it's because the plane is descending. When I tell you I led that we landed safely, thank you, pilot. Round of applause. I am finally here in Little White Russia to see my big black Cuban. So I get off the plane, make it through immigration, and head to the belt to collect my life's baggage. Oh wait, my phone is still on airplane mode. Let me let everyone know that I'm here safely and figure out how I'm getting to this Airbnb. Because no way am I paying for a car now. My mom is worried. Why am I not receiving her messages? Duolingo is mad. Why haven't I done a lesson today? Eddie Bell is here? Yup. This is the part of the movie where the man and the woman are looking around the busy airport, see each other from across the room, then the entire crowd freezes as they run to each other in slow motion. Twenty months. That's 88 weeks, 614 days, nine countries. I don't even know how many flights, and an infinite supply of faith. That's what it took to get us to this moment. And as we held each other in the loudest silence, the moment we had both been yearning for was finally here. Even in a strange land, we were home. And let me tell you, there is no place like home. Relieved, hopeful. There aren't even words to express how I was feeling. Except maybe that despite being off the plane, I was now in the clouds. I'm so happy, I almost forgot that they lost one of my suitcases. After all of this, they sent me to Lost and Found. But when I tell you I wasn't even stressed because I myself was lost, and yet here I was, safe, secure, found. I'd probably be singing a different tune if Adibo wasn't with me during all of this, but he was. So la la la la la. I couldn't tell you if it was minutes or hours later. But they found my luggage. And finally, it was time for me to leave the airport and feel the sun on my face. We stepped outside and well it's nighttime, so there goes that. But again, doesn't matter. I was no longer struggling with my baggage. I guess what they say is true. When you meet the right person, the weight of the world doesn't feel as heavy. Oh, and Eddie Bow carrying my luggage certainly helped. Now we're walking to a bus stop to get to our Airbnb. When I tell you this man of mine was moving like he knows exactly where he is and where to go, I closed my Google Maps and for the first time in a while was able to turn off my brain. Okay, maybe not off, more like airplane mode, but we are done talking about planes, okay? Two long bus rides later, and we are here. The place is lovely and clean. And I smell spaghetti bolognese with garlic bread. Eddiewell made my favorite meal and got us a bottle of rose to toast the Cuban way, of course. Ariba up. Here we say the things we want to go up and have more of happiness, faith, health, wealth, time together. A bajo down. Now the things we want to go down and have less of stress, sickness, doubt, fear, acentro, to the center. Things we want to come together. Love, hope, laughter, friendship, family, us. Iparentro. Now we take it all in. Next time on Living Dangerously in love, what happens when two people with nothing but their hearts on their sleeves, a dollar and a dream, are faced with the troubling reality that a 30-day visa-free entry goes by way faster than you think? Spoiler, it involves a dusting wedding dress, two separate flights, and a whole lot of baloney.