One of the most rewarding consequences of writing a blog for the longer term is the interaction with readers who feel connected in some way to what I’ve expressed here. I’ve met up with several readers on the road, like Alberto from Rome, who took me ruin-hopping during my brief time there in the fall or Casey, who brought me on a tapas tour of La Latina in Madrid. Many others have left insightful comments or emailed to share a story or travel memory of their own. However, the technology that enables this kind of interaction sometimes affords an even greater connection, which was the case with Azita who emailed me this week about her wonderful love story.
Locks of Love in Montevideo
In my Memories of Montevideo post, I wrote about my somewhat melancholy return to a city I used to call home, and in it I featured the Fountain of Love in downtown Montevideo. With its rusted iron fence and tiny plaque, the fountain is crammed with locks of couples wanting to commemorate their love with an eternal tribute. In writing about the fountain, I posted a photo of the lock that most caught my eye, a deep purple one gleaming in the afternoon sun.
Azita and Jeff’s purple lock in Montevideo, Uruguay.
The inscription on the fountain reads “The legend of this young fountain tells us that if a lock with the initials of two people in love is placed in it, they will return together to the fountain and their love will be forever locked”. Azita excitedly emailed to let me know that the lock was hers, having found it in a Google images search. I sent her the picture and asked her for her story. This is what she had to say:
I worked at a hospital and every day on the parking shuttle there was this lady who I would talk to. She was very kind and we always got to work at the same time, so we chatted a lot. She had knee problems and was seeing a physical therapist (more specifically a Sports Medicine Specialist) for it. She would always talk about how kind, sweet, smart, and just amazing this man is, and how she thinks that we would get along. Finally, after one bad date too many, I decided to give this blind date thing a shot. I gave her my email to give to him. We ended up emailing/talking on the phone for 2 weeks. We decided to meet at Disneyland (public place because I wasn’t convinced that he wasn’t a killer – this was my first blind date!) and from that moment on we have been in the most amazing relationship. Going on 1.5 yrs, we have traveled the world together and are more in love than ever. Why we put the lock on the fountain… Honestly I don’t have a good reason: we were silly people in love and we totally fell in love with the phrase “to be forever locked”. It’s our relationship’s motto now. Interestingly enough, I never saw my shuttle buddy again, and he never saw her as a patient again. Can someone say cupid?
What an amazing story! I can’t believe Azita found the picture of the lock…the world just gets smaller and smaller, huh!
I mean, out of all the locks, and all the people to take a photo…crazy.
With this story, you have single-handedly warmed my heart this afternoon. Thank you.
Beautiful story Jodi, you made my afternoon on the coast of Turkey even happier :)
– Lily
Great great story! :) How fun that you took a picture of their lock and she found it. What are the chances?
Truly that’s a lovely story. (And a cute couple).
It’s nice to know that things like this do happen. If we read it in a book or saw it in a TV drama, we’d think “yeah, right – because *that* could happen”.
But look. It did. :)
That’s a great story! What an amazing connection by a woman never seen again. And how awesome that Azita found you and emailed her story. Thanks for sharing this! Even as a guy, I admit they are a cute couple and it’s a nice story to warm the heart :)
What a great story and what a good looking couple! It is amazing how small the world is when things like this happen.
Aaaw, what a beautiful story. This put a (big) smile on my face.
Thanks for the shout-out :) Too bad no love stories came out of La Latina…except maybe a love affair with jamon??
There was DEFINITELY a love affair with jamon, and perhaps that crazy jamon-egg-french-fries dish too. Thanks for the great afternoon!
Sweet story :)
Lovely story. Made me cry, but you should know I’m the type who only cries when happy :=)
Awwww, so sweet to read a true story behind one of those locks. They certainly made me think about all the stories that must be behind them. Thanks for sharing this! =)
Thanks for all the lovely comments! Azita wrote me to say she was so happy reading all these kind words. Like Andrea, I sat at the fountain and wondered what happened to the couples who locked their initials in place. It’s terrific to get a follow up not only from a happy twosome, but someone who found their photo on this site.
Heart warming story. What a beautiful moment.. ahhh!
That’s so sweet! Love that she found your image through a search and was able to tell you her story.
That is a lovely story, Jodi. (And wow, what an attractive couple!) It is so neat making those connections with readers.
I like what you said above, Jodi — sitting at the fountain and wondering what happened to the couples represented by those locks — some still together, some broken up. I love places like this where you can leave a part of yourself — where stories are everywhere. And we may not know the details — when and why a person visited, where they came from, where they were going next — but that doesn’t matter. It’s sweet and magical just being there, knowing it’s a place that means something different to all those who visit.
Lovely story, and a different kind of post here. Like.
Awww that is a cute story. I hope cupid helps me find my man!!! I also love the concept of the locks~
And could they be any cuter?!
love this!!!!
what a nice story :) Thanks for sharing it with us.
Wow, this story is amazing, and so touching. I love hearing real life fairytales! Thanks for sharing!
I love finding little bits of myth and mystery buried in travels, like this fountain. It’s like a public secret passed over carelessly by so many, yet precious to a few.
Such a sweet story and beautiful couple! What are the chances Azita would find her lock via your photo?? Loved this.
What a cool story!
Well, if this story doesn’t give you the warm fuzzies, nothing will! What a great story, and how crazy that the photo you took randomly led to such a great story!
This is why I love being part of an online community. So many surprises and “small world” moments!
What a great story! Seems like even yet another sign those two should be together.
This is such a cute story! What a cute couple :D
I don’t think it gets more romantic or poetic than a lock on a fountain. Azita sounds like a Persian girl (I am also Persian) and her photo is full of happiness. This is my first visit here in along time, Jodi, and I love that it started with a love story :)!
Thanks again for rocking our summit with your speech at WDS.
Wow, this is such a sweet story, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing this story. It’s a cute love story. That shuttle buddy who was never seen again…maybe it was an angel in disguise doing a love intervention. :-)
That is a beautiful story…connections can be made anywhere…
Wow! What an amazing coincidence!
what a beautiful story, even if it isn’t your own. :) the shuttle buddy was most definitely Cupid in disguise!
I was hoping it was your love story thou…keep em coming Jodi.
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