Sunday Kind of Love: Kevin & Joanna
"If I know what love is, it is because of you."- Herman Hesse
Today is the first of my segment, Sunday Kind of Love, in which I get the opportunity to interview people about love and what it means to them.
You see, love is different for everyone. One couple's love is always different from another couple's love. One person's love is always different from another person's love. Love is always different. The beauty of this whole love thing, is that it's the differences that make it all the more magnificent.
The first couple I've had the honor of speaking with, are Kevin and Joanna, high school sweethearts from a small town in Texas, together for nine years and counting. Their love story is unique, as are all, and I hope you love them just as much as I do.
Kevin & Joanna
"We met ten years ago when we were seniors in high school. I had just moved back to Uvalde and we shared a class together," stated Kevin Trevino. "That was the first time I met her, in the back of our class."
The instant Kevin met Joanna Ybarra, he knew something was different about her. It was the first time they had ever met and it was the beginning of a story that would capture many.
The way they met was simple. She was writing a letter to a friend, he was noticing, and he made the first move. He told her to write him a letter when she was done and she agreed. Once the class ended, a simple letter of "hello" was exchanged, which prompted Kevin to ask for Joanna's phone number. That one moment changed life as they knew it that day, and hours upon hours of phone conversations and hanging out as friends, eventually led to a romance that both of them created.
February 14 marks their anniversary, a day when they finally and officially became a couple. It took some time for them to figure it out at first. Miscommunication led to misinformation and it wasn't until they graduated from high school and went on their senior trip, that Joanna knew she didn't want to be without Kevin. From there on out, the two would end up dealing with great struggles and tragedies, losing people they loved dearly throughout their nine year courtship. But no matter what they went through, they continued to strive in their love and even when they were tested, their love kept them together.
When I asked them what they love most about each other, I could tell that it'd be hard to narrow it down. Their love is intoxicating, in the best way imaginable. Kevin says that he loves Joanna's smile and her cute laugh when she gets happy or excited. He loves the way her heart cares so deeply and her kindness towards others. "She's beautiful and her love for me, I've never had this kind of love before. She's a great friend, my best friend."
Joanna says that her love for Kevin stems from the fact that she can always be herself around him, no matter what. "I'm comfortable to do or say anything around him," said Joanna. "He's my best friend and we just understand each other. He never judges me or people and he's caring and funny and always makes me laugh."
Some might wonder, how the heck have they managed to stay together for so long? Yet when you see them together and you see the way they gaze at each other as if they are seeing each other for the first time, you know the answer to that question; COMMUNICATION.
"Communication is a big deal in a relationship. Without it, our relationship would not be as strong," said Joanna. "We tell each other the truth and knowing that I can always tell Kevin anything without being judged, is important."
"We have a very open-minded relationship," says Kevin. "We connect in a way that I know a lot of people don't connect."
And although communication is very important for any relationship, Kevin and Joanna know exactly what works for them. They have fun with each other. Their friends. And they know how hard it is to make a relationship sustain anything.
I asked them how having each other in their lives has changed them and they both looked at each other for a while as if knowing what the other would say. Kevin says that having Joanna has changed him by making him more understanding and considerate. He takes her into account all the time and knows how to cherish their time together. For Joanna, its their working together that has changed her most. She says that Kevin makes her think differently and that they work together always, to get things done.
For this couple of nine years, love has changed and grown over time. They both credit love for showing them what happiness is all about and how to enjoy one day at a time. "Love has taught me about life, that it really is all about being happy, altogether, with every emotion, and feeling all of those at once," said Joanna.
Although they claim to be no experts at love, they do have advice to offer for others. "You have to learn to be understanding," said Kevin. "You have to understand different personalities and take the good with the bad." "You have to be able to admit when you're wrong too," said Joanna. "Take each others feelings into consideration and put yourself in each others shoes when you can."
At the end of our interview, I was able to learn more about them in one hour, than I have every known in the decades I've known them. Kevin and Joanna became engaged last October and are currently in the midst of planning their wedding. They prove just how special love is and can be, for anyone. They taught me how to never give up and I hope they inspire others to do the same. Love is hard work, but as you can see, it's sometimes the hardest work, that makes it all more meaningful.
"Love is something special, not to be joked around with or just thrown out there," said Kevin. "It should be sacred and takes time. You have to go through all of the phases of it together and get through them. And most importantly, love is knowing how to be without each other."
Joanna concludes our interview beautifully and I watch as Kevin stares at her with adoration. It is magical.
"The most important thing to know about love," said Joanna, "is that love is not easy. You have to really want to hang in there, for love to blossom. You have to have patience."
I'm incredibly grateful to Kevin Trevino and Joanna Ybarra for letting me into their love story. I take away many wonderful lessons through their presence. And I've learned that one should never compare their love to others. Remember: love is unique for each individual soul. Keep it that way. Know and cherish the love YOU have, today and always and be grateful.
Today is the first of my segment, Sunday Kind of Love, in which I get the opportunity to interview people about love and what it means to them.
You see, love is different for everyone. One couple's love is always different from another couple's love. One person's love is always different from another person's love. Love is always different. The beauty of this whole love thing, is that it's the differences that make it all the more magnificent.
The first couple I've had the honor of speaking with, are Kevin and Joanna, high school sweethearts from a small town in Texas, together for nine years and counting. Their love story is unique, as are all, and I hope you love them just as much as I do.
Kevin & Joanna
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| The lovely couple |
The instant Kevin met Joanna Ybarra, he knew something was different about her. It was the first time they had ever met and it was the beginning of a story that would capture many.
The way they met was simple. She was writing a letter to a friend, he was noticing, and he made the first move. He told her to write him a letter when she was done and she agreed. Once the class ended, a simple letter of "hello" was exchanged, which prompted Kevin to ask for Joanna's phone number. That one moment changed life as they knew it that day, and hours upon hours of phone conversations and hanging out as friends, eventually led to a romance that both of them created.
February 14 marks their anniversary, a day when they finally and officially became a couple. It took some time for them to figure it out at first. Miscommunication led to misinformation and it wasn't until they graduated from high school and went on their senior trip, that Joanna knew she didn't want to be without Kevin. From there on out, the two would end up dealing with great struggles and tragedies, losing people they loved dearly throughout their nine year courtship. But no matter what they went through, they continued to strive in their love and even when they were tested, their love kept them together.
When I asked them what they love most about each other, I could tell that it'd be hard to narrow it down. Their love is intoxicating, in the best way imaginable. Kevin says that he loves Joanna's smile and her cute laugh when she gets happy or excited. He loves the way her heart cares so deeply and her kindness towards others. "She's beautiful and her love for me, I've never had this kind of love before. She's a great friend, my best friend."
Joanna says that her love for Kevin stems from the fact that she can always be herself around him, no matter what. "I'm comfortable to do or say anything around him," said Joanna. "He's my best friend and we just understand each other. He never judges me or people and he's caring and funny and always makes me laugh."
 | ||
| Laughter. |
"Communication is a big deal in a relationship. Without it, our relationship would not be as strong," said Joanna. "We tell each other the truth and knowing that I can always tell Kevin anything without being judged, is important."
"We have a very open-minded relationship," says Kevin. "We connect in a way that I know a lot of people don't connect."
And although communication is very important for any relationship, Kevin and Joanna know exactly what works for them. They have fun with each other. Their friends. And they know how hard it is to make a relationship sustain anything.
I asked them how having each other in their lives has changed them and they both looked at each other for a while as if knowing what the other would say. Kevin says that having Joanna has changed him by making him more understanding and considerate. He takes her into account all the time and knows how to cherish their time together. For Joanna, its their working together that has changed her most. She says that Kevin makes her think differently and that they work together always, to get things done.
 | |||
| Happiness. |
Although they claim to be no experts at love, they do have advice to offer for others. "You have to learn to be understanding," said Kevin. "You have to understand different personalities and take the good with the bad." "You have to be able to admit when you're wrong too," said Joanna. "Take each others feelings into consideration and put yourself in each others shoes when you can."
At the end of our interview, I was able to learn more about them in one hour, than I have every known in the decades I've known them. Kevin and Joanna became engaged last October and are currently in the midst of planning their wedding. They prove just how special love is and can be, for anyone. They taught me how to never give up and I hope they inspire others to do the same. Love is hard work, but as you can see, it's sometimes the hardest work, that makes it all more meaningful.
"Love is something special, not to be joked around with or just thrown out there," said Kevin. "It should be sacred and takes time. You have to go through all of the phases of it together and get through them. And most importantly, love is knowing how to be without each other."
Joanna concludes our interview beautifully and I watch as Kevin stares at her with adoration. It is magical.
"The most important thing to know about love," said Joanna, "is that love is not easy. You have to really want to hang in there, for love to blossom. You have to have patience."
I'm incredibly grateful to Kevin Trevino and Joanna Ybarra for letting me into their love story. I take away many wonderful lessons through their presence. And I've learned that one should never compare their love to others. Remember: love is unique for each individual soul. Keep it that way. Know and cherish the love YOU have, today and always and be grateful.
Thank You Kim,for capturing our love story :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story and fantastic interview!!! I am so proud of you all.
ReplyDelete