Meet Gilberto and Erika Pringle:
Tell us your love story! (Include a picture of you two THEN and NOW)
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| April 2002 (left); December 2013 (right) |
Our story starts in November 2001, where we met in Oakland, CA. I was home for Thanksgiving and he was visiting family (who just happens to be a part of my extended family). His cousin introduced me to him and his family at church with the instructions, "I have 3 cousins. They're all single. Pick one". I didn't think much of it. Later that night we all went out and we were pretty much pushed together. At the end of the night we exchanged information. I didn't think much would come of it after that because we lived 4 hours away from each other at the time. About a week later he called and then emailed me because I missed his call. We corresponded back and forth via phone and email for the next couple of weeks. That January he drove to Huntsville (where I lived) and we saw each other for the first time since we met. Everything was cool. I loved the fact that he was so laid back. We hung out the whole weekend. For months after that, I would see him when he came to visit his brother (and me). I went back home for the summer break but that didn't put a damper on our communication. One Sunday, we were talking and he professed that he loved me. I panicked and didn't respond. We hung up and I told myself that I was CRAZY for not telling him how I felt. So I called him back and told him that the feeling was mutual. I was definitely a giddy girl inside. When I went back to Huntsville at the end of the summer, we officially became a couple. We definitely had our ups and downs. We broke up for 2 years but remained close friends throughout that time. *I confess - My heart had a really hard time letting go of him during that time.* But we eventually got back together. We moved to Houston in the years following but our bond and friendship and love for each other grew through the trials that we experienced during that time. In December 2010, he proposed and I was more than happy to say "YES!” We married 11 months later. It's been 2 years since I promised to love, care, and ride with him on this life journey. And I'm thankful for everyday that I have to share with him.
For many couples Valentines Day is the only time they feel loved by their significant other and/or spouse. How do you show your love to each other throughout the year?
Valentines Day is not that big of a day in our house. I am a
holiday person but he is not. I try to balance it all out to make us both
happy. But I like to make him breakfast on Sunday mornings when we don't have
anything going on and I try to make it so that he has "breakfast in
bed." Nothing fancy but definitely something to show that I love him.
We all enter marriage with our own quirks. What’s one thing your spouse does that drives you crazy but you couldn’t imagine life without him doing it?
Sometimes I may leave clothes or other things on the bed.
Instead of him putting the stuff away or on the dresser, he just moves it to my
side of the bed and then gets in the bed and goes to sleep. It drives me
nuts!!! But I can live with it.
Being a wife is more than just a title but it’s a ministry. When the enemy tries to attack your marriage what is your go to scripture?
In all transparency, I do not have a scripture. I pray, I
cry, I get angry, but I don't have a "go to scripture". I'm always
looking for things that will help strengthening me, him, and us.
Years pass, people grow older, bodies change, babies come but what is one
thing about your spouse that still takes your breath away?
What takes my breath away is his scent after he's taken a
shower and put his cologne on; He is such a good smelling man. *swooning as I
think about it* He likes to dress well and I LOVE seeing him after he's dressed
and is ready for church on Sabbath. I also LOVE hearing him speak Spanish.
There is just something about his accent and speaking another language.
Many couples have marriage as their ultimate goal. What’s one piece of advice you’d give engaged couples?
Enjoy
being engaged. Enjoy the learning process in per-marital counseling -
marriage is NOT a game. Continue building your friendship with each
other. Yes, you'll be lovers and you're planning on riding
until the wheels fall off but at the end of the day you still need to
respect
each other and enjoy each others company. Keep God first. I know that's a
given but sometimes we as people let life happen, but if you keep him
first the
happenings of life will be a little easier to deal with.
When we were dating we thought we knew it all! Probably believing that marriage was easy but what has marriage taught you about the difference between “regular love” and agape love?
To me "regular love" is all the stuff that, by
itself, won't get you thru the hard times. I associate Agape Love with God's love
for us. It's the unconditional love that he shows us daily. It's the love that
no matter what we do it does not waiver. Agape Love for me is through our happy
times and through the times where we will struggle, we stay dedicated to each
other. We (should) forgive and not hold on to all the hurts that come with
them. We are humans so that may not always be easy but as a married couple we
should be striving to show each other God's love.
BONUS: Let’s bring some awareness to the discussion. On Valentines Day many women who are abused find themselves back with their abuser because the cycle of abuse is real and this holiday makes it easy for abusers to woo their victims.
What would tell those wives who are walking through tough times in their marriages?
One of my hubby's mottos is "You have to love yourself". I think that is very true when it comes to all relationships but definitely to relationships where abuse may take place. When we truly love ourselves, our expectations for how others treat us are high. When we know our worth, we don't allow other's insecurities to dimenish who we are. If abuse is taking place, I would suggest going to counseling (individual and as a couple), and/or walking away. I would also suggest letting a close friend or family member know what's going on so that they can be a form of support for you. But above all of that, talk to God. Ask him for the strength to make the decisions that are needed, for guidance and wisdom as well.
