Sean's VersionWhen I first met Colleen Van Houwe in Altea’s Spanish summer of 2009, I wasn’t swept off my feet as many storybook romances go. Having said that, I can still see her walking into La Terraza as I held the door open for her and a few others as if it were just yesterday. Even exchanging the Spanish kiss on the check was soft and sweet but my mind at the time was on different things. As a lead intern on the Edge Project, I was in no position for any type of romantic ideas. However... I must say that first day I met her, I did hear a voice I thought myself saying, “Get to know Colleen.”
So, I made it a point to simply be available to hear the story of this Jersey girl that was in her last year at Los Angeles’ BIOLA University. In a short amount of time among helping others on the mission, reading, studying and teaching impromptu improv classes outdoors with locals and Edgies, I got to see her heart for artists. She wanted to help them maximize their talents to produce something that could bring more joy to the world... at least helping the artist fulfill their purpose... to imagine, dream and create something good. I would have never guessed I was listening to the dreams of a girl I would later ask to marry me. I loved her dream instantly.
“If you're looking for an artist to help, I’ll be your first artist,” I said with a smile. Her blue eyes lit up beneath her pencil like drawn eyebrows.
I was a struggling actor who left a life in Los Angeles only to have it drastically changed while pursuing God across Europe. As I stood on the terraza that afternoon, I could hear the small rocks on the shore dance across one another beneath the Mediterranean waves. I looked at Colleen’s Hollywood smile that lit up her face and took my first breath into the beginning of our sweet friendship.
|
|
Colleen's VersionSo, I decided to look back into my journal the first year I went to Spain...the first time I met Sean. It was incredible the things I don't even remember writing. God took 40 days to set a spark that would burn for a lifetime!
"Even though Sean is kind of annoying sometimes, he has good intentions." - Day 4 "Sean was acting like he was high. There were non-stop jokes. It was crazy." - Day 15 "Sean and I have had a lot of solo conversations that have been really valuable. I can tell we’re trying to figure out life together as artists. I enjoy working with him and talking to him." - Day 16 |
"I feel really loved and appreciated by this group, especially Sean because I think he pays attention to a lot of the behind the scenes stuff."
- Day 20
"Sean has a certain style about him. He seems like a Jr. high leader but sincere."
- Day 26
"I love how Sean would bring up God in conversation every once in a while. He’d just make a comment like, “Looking at the stars reminds me of how small I am and how big God is.” And then, that would invite all of us to chime in."
- Day 27
"Today, when we were all cleaning El Diseno, Sean said something to me that made my heart melt. He said, “Colleen, I think we’re going to be friends for the rest of our lives.” I came all the way to Spain to find my best friends that live in my backyard. I’m especially excited about being part of Sean’s life. We may be able to partner up and test my dream of helping artists."
- Day 33
"I made a wish that night when I blew out the candles. I wished that Sean and I could continue to be friends. I so value his friendship and know he was meant for great things."
- Day 36
"I slept on the beach with Xara and Sean last night. I was so cold. I'm pretty sure I nestled my head in Sean's armpit at one point...I got a lot of compliments on how I’ve changed throughout this trip. Arianna said I just became so beautiful and Sean compared me to an angel and said I was near perfect."
- Day 40
- Day 20
"Sean has a certain style about him. He seems like a Jr. high leader but sincere."
- Day 26
"I love how Sean would bring up God in conversation every once in a while. He’d just make a comment like, “Looking at the stars reminds me of how small I am and how big God is.” And then, that would invite all of us to chime in."
- Day 27
"Today, when we were all cleaning El Diseno, Sean said something to me that made my heart melt. He said, “Colleen, I think we’re going to be friends for the rest of our lives.” I came all the way to Spain to find my best friends that live in my backyard. I’m especially excited about being part of Sean’s life. We may be able to partner up and test my dream of helping artists."
- Day 33
"I made a wish that night when I blew out the candles. I wished that Sean and I could continue to be friends. I so value his friendship and know he was meant for great things."
- Day 36
"I slept on the beach with Xara and Sean last night. I was so cold. I'm pretty sure I nestled my head in Sean's armpit at one point...I got a lot of compliments on how I’ve changed throughout this trip. Arianna said I just became so beautiful and Sean compared me to an angel and said I was near perfect."
- Day 40