Ema about "How it all started
in Zagreb"
It was the beginning of a new semester in Zagreb in October 2018, and as so often happened, I was late. Breathless and in a hurry, I entered the lecture hall for the course “Manufacturing System Design” and was surprised to find that the lecture was being given in English. Quickly I identified a German student in the front row, who was chatting eagerly with the professor and frequently glancing back. ;)
That was the first time I saw Marco.
When the class ended, Marco was waiting by the door, clearly mustering courage to finally ask me out to lunch at the student cafeteria. Instead,I replied that I was already meeting my good friend Petar in town for lunch, but that he was welcome to come along. At that moment I didn’t know this was the start of a very strong friendship — one that would lead to so much more.
Over the next six months, our friendship blossomed. Marco learned Croatian, and we shared many wonderful moments together. When he returned to Germany in February 2019, my city of Zagreb suddenly was somehow empty. It was moment I realized how important he became to me :)
Marco about our "How it continued
in Nuremberg"
Even more than a month after I left Zagreb, Ema and I spoke every evening via WhatsApp. Our contact was very intense despite the distance. Somehow everything was very special. We could hardly wait to finally see each other in person again. I will never forget the first meeting after my studies abroad. It was Monday, 18 March 2019, when I nervously picked Ema up from the bus station in Nuremberg.
We looked at each other from a distance and visibly thought about how we should greet each other. When Ema was within reach, I finally plucked up my courage and gave her a kiss. As we walked to the car, several passing cars honked their horns at our obvious love :D It was the beginning of our relationship, even in beautiful Nuremberg, what we now call our home.
Almost three years of long-distance relationship followed. Corona time, birthdays, holidays, final exams and starting our first job - there were plenty of experiences despite the distance. It was rarely difficult because we knew what we wanted - each other - and the distance couldn't weaken that.
We finally decided to start our life together in January 2022 in our first flat together in Nuremberg. Ema found a job very quickly, learnt German just as quickly and is getting on incredibly well in Franconia. She rarely knows how special she is.. I am very proud of her and cannot wait to promise and show my love to her for the rest of our days.
