They Spoke
a
Romance Language
Heather Pucheu, property clerk, 31, and Fabrice Pucheu, artist, 34, Spokane, Wash.
She: In my high school French class, there was a pen pal requirement. The matchups were completely random. When Fabrice and I started writing to each other, I told him about school, and he told me about his life in Léon, France, as a landscape artist.
For the next eight years, we shared our lives on paper. We were able to be really honest and say things many people probably wouldn’t say to each other—there were no appearances to keep up. Each letter brought us closer than we’d been before, but I never expected anything but friendship. During these years, I dated, got married, got divorced, and dated a bit more. I continued writing to Fabrice.
Then 9/11 happened. It made me understand how short life is and that it could be taken away at any second. Fabrice and I really bared our souls after that, although I think we didn’t realize how much our relationship was changing.
When Fabrice came to visit in September 2002, I went to pick him up at the airport, saw him, and fell in love at first sight. I know it sounds hokey, but you never think it will happen until it happens to you. I just knew I was going to marry him. I was so happy to finally meet the person I had gotten to know so well as a friend—we had all of that groundwork laid already.
It was an easy transition to romance. I spoke a little French, and Fabrice spoke some English. We went on long walks and started this wonderful new chapter in our lives.
Now Fabrice is the cook in our family; I haven’t had to cook a single meal since we got married. His quiche Lorraine and paella are my favorites.
To this day, I still have all of Fabrice’s letters.
He: It was wonderful finally meeting Heather after knowing her long distance for so long. I just knew she was the one. After I got my visa and put all the paperwork behind me, she and I settled in Spokane together.
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