Love Actually… is in Panama

"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at [Panama's airport]  General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it's. . . . .

"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at [Panama's airport]  General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there... If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around.  

- Love Actually (2003)

 

For me, my love is in Panama.  

 

I was in school and he was working. My internship landed me in the same office as Luis. This isn't the expected love at first sight story. In fact, he went on a date with my dad before he went on a real date with me. 

We did Tough Mudders, took dancing and cooking classes, and just enjoyed every second together. Only a week after he told me he loved me, though,  he lost his student visa status and had to return to Panama. 

Over a year has passed now with this long distance. With Luis working in Panama and myself working in DC, it has been extremely difficult to find opportunities to see each other. Student loans, rent, and groceries take precedence in the day-to-day. However, those same days are filled with searching Expedia on the off chance that there may be a flight I can finally afford to go visit him.  For this Christmas, in the spirit of Love Actually, I am hoping to walk through that arrival gate and suprise my boyfriend. If you think that ? Love is All Around You ? then please help to make this possible!