It was 2021, and I was living in a 3-room house in a beautiful street named Derrynane Gardens. In August, one of the rooms went free and the research process for a new household kicked off. Out of the applicants, most of them were computer engineers from India, one of them was an outlier: Sonia Comte. A French working colleague, whose name is Clemence, shared the room availability with her as they were childhood friends from Paris. Sonia was going to move to Ireland in September for a new job opportunity.

Since the first conversations & interviews to meet the house applicants, Sonia was able to show her kindness and good heart. We had 3 conversations, two of them including the other households and one of them between the two of us. It was a no-brainer that Sonia would be a great person to share the house.

Late August, Sonia arrived in Dublin to start her new life in Derrynane Gardens (I even recall the jean and jacket she was wearing that day!). Usually people in Europe take their holidays during August, but at that time, Facundo, which was the third household, got COVID. Reason why he had to postpone his holidays for September. Therefore, for Sonia’s arrival, we shared the house alone for more than 3 weeks. Also due to COVID, most activities and opportunities to meet people in Dublin were restricted, the reason why everyone was spending lot’s of time with their housemates. Those 3 weeks resulted in a great opportunity to meet each other.

During those weeks Sonia was introduced to most of my friends and we built some of the routines that we still keep and love today! Going for long walks in the weekends by the sea with a good coffee, sharing very high quality meals made by Sonia, great asados and moments with friends or simply reading books with quiet. She was instantly very welcomed by everyone, and making her part of my life felt just natural. One night coming back from a birthday party, where as usual we spoke for more than an hour alone coming back, the first kiss happened!

It was not an easy start for the couple, as after 2,5 months Sonia left Dublin to pursue her dream to live in Barcelona. Looking back it seems crazy! But we made it. Travelling back and forth between Dublin & Barcelona for more than 2 years, and never stopping to fight for us and our projects.

My arrival in the Argentinian flat-share was unexpected I wasn’t planning to go to a city like Dublin. Thanks to one of my dear childhood friend, Clemence, I give it a chance and I got introduced to my new Argentinian housemates. Upon my arrival, all the others where on holidays so my only housemate was Feli. He introduced me to lots of friends and I felt very welcome since day 1.

If you’re on a lucky day he will admit that he even recalls the jeans and jacket I had that very first day… otherwise don’t believe what he says in his description.

One night we had a birthday party of a German friend and on the way back he told how nice were my shoes from work as I was walking barefoot.

Very weird from a guy that has eyes only for Patagonia clothes. I knew he was flirting.

Once home he kissed me in the kitchen. As I recently arrived I didn’t mean to date anyone so I said no.

Still, the next day we were stuck together all day long with friends meetings, so pretty weird but a memorable day!

That same night we had another birthday party with my friend Clemence. Surprisingly the “I don’t like to party” boy was still there at 4am and willing to escort me home just in case I would lost myself on the way back as a newcomer.

We could think that rest is history but I got a job offer after only 1 month in my dream city, Barcelona.

Then the same night we shared to our Dublin friends we were a couple, I announced that I was leaving the city.

Despite all common sense and Feli refusal to have a long-distance relationship, we made it back and forth for over 2 years. We finally got to move in together end of 2023 in Barcelona.

The rest is history but I’m sure the carbonara dish I cooked for him after my arrival got his heart.