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Expat Living in Croatia

Updated on January 6, 2025
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Devika chose a lifestyle like no other and shares an expat's view of her life in Croatia. writing opens the mind of individuals and allows

An Expat's life in Croatia

Introduction:

1991, out of college and seeking friendships wasn't a simple task.

I hugged my new life and knew someone would take me into their arms and love me unconditionally.

As I passed through the weeks in my single lifestyle, I managed to make friends and get out for fun times.

Having embraced the life of a shy girl, I was hoping for a date. I was enjoying my freedom but needed someone special in my life. Someday I will have fun as everyone mentioned. I needed fun in my life and didn't know how to get to that.

The guy in the butcher shop looked at me bravely and smiled. That Saturday morning, I arrived at the store early feeling confident. The quick conversation with a temporary job was discussed and immediately I felt my heartbeat faster with happiness.

My first day at work was exciting!

Working as a cashier didn't bother me, as much as certain employees did in the workplace. I had to work to gain an independent lifestyle.

Studying at a local college was the first step to preparing for better opportunities. I had to start small to walk tall. It was fate to have met the gentleman on my first day at the butcher shop.

I saw the Cashier manager arranging for when I will start the temporary position. The following day I met a gentleman who was helpful and pleasant toward me. His charming nature made me feel relaxed and not nervous about my first day at work.

Love at first sight, it was for the slender and well-built man but not for me. I couldn't help but try to ignore his presence as he passed by me daily.

Maybe the moment came with a sense of humour and made me laugh each time we saw each other and that is what held us together.

It happened at a mysterious spot behind a gate. He opened the gate and walked me through the entrance at that moment out of nowhere he kissed me so sweetly.

I didn’t take that kiss to heart, but the moment stuck with me ever since. My world changed fast and everything else followed.

Weeks passed by and I tried to avoid him still he wouldn’t take NO for an answer. I was afraid of how my parents would react to me courting a much older man.

Days and nights followed with plans and began courting freely after he let the word out to my dad.

My short love story happened with a gentleman who finally re-opened his heart to love again. I got him to see life in a different way. His heart was broken, and I mended his big heart with my love. Our dating experience was unique. I saw how he changed with me in our precious and loving times spent together.

The thought of my love story filled my mind with the happiness and love we have for each other. He moved into our home and we married in 1993.

I hadn’t experienced something like this before I met my ‘’man. ‘’The gentleman was my boss. His touch on my hands made me feel Goosebumps. A natural and calm feeling came from his touch.

We dated back to a year and a half before he popped the question.

‘’Will you marry me, Dear?’’

Off-course I said, ’yes,’’ hastily,

My growing love for him is lasting. His past issues didn’t affect our present moments together. There was gossip about us as an interracial couple it did bother others. Our glances at each other while at work stirred up issues with others. No stitches in my stomach and no doubts.

Months passed by and patiently I felt our closeness. The moments spent together brought a sense of security and a ‘’thing called love.’’

Six months later the gentleman had agreed to move into my home. I lived with my parents and this ‘’thing called love’’ happened to us that moving in together was our best option at that time.

A ‘’thing called love’’ just happened and I realized I missed him more and more each day when he departed from my place to go back to his place.

A year and a half later my gentleman decided to marry me in an Indian ceremony which surprised me. I had no idea he liked to try something as different as that. Love for me grew for us and him, it was love at first sight.

Our love is rare and just beautiful!

A match made in heaven, we must trust, love, and show honesty between us. Weeks turned to months and that was the length of time it took for me to see our picture as a couple. He was attracted to me from our first meeting together.

Without knowing it he went to my dad’s working workplace and asked for my hand in marriage. I felt insecure about that decision. He admired me and it was love at first sight for the gentleman.

One fine day we went out on a secret date. I didn’t want anyone to know about us knowing how our relationship will affect my family.

My growing love for him is lasting. His past issues didn’t affect our present moments together.

There was gossip about us as an interracial couple it did bother others. Our glances at each other while at work stirred up issues with others. No stitches in my stomach and no doubts.

Months passed by and patiently I felt our closeness. The moments spent together brought a sense of security and a ‘’thing called love.’’

Six months later the gentleman had agreed to move into my home. I lived with my parents and this ‘’thing called love’’ happened to us that moving in together was our best option at that time.

A ‘’thing called love’’ just happened and I realized I missed him more and more each day when he departed from my place to go back to his place.

A year and a half later my gentleman decided to marry me in an Indian ceremony which surprised me. I had no idea he liked to try something as different as that. Love for me grew for us and for him, it was love at first sight.

A match made in heaven, we must trust, love, and show honesty between us. Weeks turned to months and that was the length of time it took for me to see our picture as a couple. He was attracted to me from our first meeting together.

Without knowing it he went to my dad’s working workplace and asked for my hand in marriage.

I felt insecure about that decision. He admired me and it was love at first sight for the gentleman.

One fine day we went out on a secret date. I didn’t want anyone to know about us knowing how our relationship would affect my family.

Our day was perfect!

We spent all day together, laughed, talked had lunch and just enjoyed our special moments.

He was a lonely man and falling in love with me made him a MAN again. To feel again and to be himself, and to love again.

Before I truly made up my mind, I felt his closeness and knew with him I will be safe and have found love too. Everything changed from my life after meeting my GEORGE!

I didn’t know much about love until I met the man I married!

  • My friends drifted and some of my family stopped talking to me.

  • They didn’t like the idea of me being with someone from another race and culture, and of course, our age difference made them unhappy.

  • What other people said didn’t hurt me. It made me feel different but knew then as I do presently that people are entitled to an opinion as I am.

  • I don’t care for the opinions of others.

  • Some laughed and gossiped while others were happy for me.

  • The great wonder of life came to me when I fell in love with this man.

  • We walked the rough paths together and stayed together during the tough experiences.

Expat living in Croatia

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This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2019 Devika Primić

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