I met my husband in 2012 in Minnesota, USA. He was originally from Ecuador but had transplanted there years before our introduction. For most of my life, I had a knowing that I was going to move. I was born in MN, went to college and grad school there, and never left the state.
Meeting my husband was like a soul encounter. I immediately felt like I knew him. Things progressed quickly and we ended up having kids and marrying. My husband always talked about Ecuador with love and great affection. Of course, none of this surprised me as it was his ‘home.
When my oldest daughter was 2 my son months old, we made our first trip to Quito. I cannot tell you what happened but I felt like my whole body just dropped, grounded and I went calm. I was navigating chaotic Quito streets and city busses but with ease and a smile. At one point, I recall my husband turning and looking at me. He told hehe was so shocked that I was so calm, that he had been worried about my response upon first visiting, and that I appeared more settled In Ecuador than when home in the States. I also noticed it. I found it curious as well.
During this trip, we drove to the Manabi area which is on the coast. During our stay, we visited a local farm. We met and spent the day with the family and during this visit, my daughter Maya was invited to ride a horse. She sat upon this horse and though it her first time, she was fearless. It looked as though she belonged there. After some time, she actually refused to get down. She just sat and stared at me with intensity. I actually took a picture of that moment (see below). It was in that instant I felt it: This was HOME. For me and my kids. My decision to move to Ecuador began with a horse. It was a theme that continued for years and remain present even now.
This image was the invisible handlebars I gripped as we realized the choice we made to leave the States and move to Ecuador in August 2018. Horses have become an integral part of our life since this decision to move here.
