As the writer for our blog, I'll start with my story. I was born and raised in southern Indiana. I grew up in the perfect neighborhood in a small town...a typical midwestern upbringing. After high school, I headed off to college at Indiana University to pursue my lifelong dream of becoming an elementary school teacher. While in college, I developed a love and curiosity for Latin American culture, and I began studying Spanish. My goal became to teach English as a second language and work with immigrant children. I spent a summer studying Spanish and Mexican culture in Cuernavaca, Mexico. That trip changed my life. It fanned the flame that was already burning, and my passion grew. The summer before my junior year, I met Santiago. I was working as a lifeguard at the YMCA, and he worked in the welcome center. Even though we both worked at the YMCA, I hadn't met him. A mutual coworker decided we would be a good match and set us up to meet. We got together with friends the week after my 21st birthday at the Blue Bird, and we have been together ever since.
Now...about Santiago. Santi was born and raised in Quito, Ecuador. He moved to the United States with his family at age 15. After graduating high school (early, despite being a new English language learner), Santi went on to work and become involved with the YMCA. He had a passion for the people and the mission of the YMCA, which I really admired. The YMCA still holds a special place in our hearts.
