When I came to the United States on October 27, 2001, I was very sad because I left all my family in Peru. I was also very excited because I was going to see many new places. I was also nervous because I didn’t understand English. For a minute I forgot about that. I only wanted to arrive in the United States.

When the plane arrived in Miami I was so amazed. I said, “Wow, this city is big for me.” When I was in the Miami airport I felt dizzy. I didn’t know what to do. I was afraid to ask someone how I could take the plane from Miami to Boston. I looked for someone who looked Latino. On the escalator I saw a Spanish looking person. I went up to him and asked him how I could take the plane to Boston and he explained it to me. I was calm now because I knew how I could take my plane from Miami to Boston.

When I arrived in Boston my boyfriend and his parents were waiting for me in the airport. My boyfriend was holding a beautiful red rose; he spoke some words in Spanish, “Hello, how are you?” It was so funny when they spoke to me in English. I didn’t understand anything. I only smiled and shook my head.

One morning my boyfriend had a surprise for me. I was in the bathroom when my boyfriend told me, “Close your eyes and open them when I say you can.” When I opened my eyes, my boyfriend had an engagement ring in his hand. He knelt down and asked me if I would marry him. At this moment I was very emotional. I said, “Yes, I do.”

We got married on December 23, 2001. In 2002 I had a daughter and started studying English. Now I understand English very well. I will never forget this beautiful experience.

Karina Zumpfe is an advanced ESOL student at Quinsigamond Community College.