Everyone said to leave my man when he was jailed for 19 years – we married behind bars but had to wait to consummate it

Melody Lorenzo, 35, works in the public sector and lives in California with her husband Anthony, 36.

“Waiting for the prison bus to arrive, my heart was racing. After 19 years behind bars, my husband was finally returning home.

Anthony, Melody Lorenzo's husband, was imprisoned for 19 years to try to kill and crimes related to gangs

A selfie couple in baseball. — Anthony, 36, was released last year, over the spouses at a date

A woman in denim jacket and black shoes. — Melody, 35, is now pregnant with her first child

I met Anthony in 2001, when we were twelve and 13 years old. The cousin was my best friend and we were hanging in the garden and chatting.

We were just children, but I was attracted to him and became a friend and friend.

Then, in 2005, our little love faced a crisis that I did not imagine. Anthony, 16, was in a car with a friend of opening fire on a group of gang members. It was a classic condition of being in the wrong place in the wrong time.

Despite the fact that he did not withdraw this trigger, Anthony was charged with trying to kill and gang -related crimes, and he was sentenced to about 20 years in prison. prison.

I was only 15 years old and was very shocked that my friend had fallen into something very dark.

Family and friends said that I should not do my life until his release.

Anthony told me that I needed to get away, but I knew that I loved him and that being behind bars would not change what I felt.

In resolved to stay together, as long as it takes its release, we have kept our relationship to alive calls and daily messages.

Once I learned to drive, I was spending every weekend Driving Up to 11 hours to visit it. Seeing him in handcuffs was very painful.

It took time to adapt to his new “home”. The focus began on improving itself, taking education lessons and joining self -assistance programs. I was proud of it.

During the first three years, our visits behind the glass were without financial contact. Later, when he moved to a different prison, we allowed us to contact brief – just hug or kiss at the beginning and end of each visit.

Family and puzzling friends could not, they are still with him. I did not care about what people think, though.

Family and confused family could not, they are still with him

I loved him. At the beginning of 2009, when I was 20 years old, I suggested Anthony, and I said yes without hesitation.

It was necessary to obtain a permit from the papers from the state, but on April 11, a registered recorded the short celebration in a prison room.

I wore a simple white dress, while Anthony had to wear his military uniform, and we had a few friends as witnesses.

Obviously, it was not the wedding that I dreamed of, but it was not a matter of my dreams day, it was a matter of uniting our commitment. When we were pronounced “husband and wife”, my heart felt full.

We were allowed to take some pictures, but then I had to go home – there was no party, and there was no marriage.

However, from that time, marital visits were allowed every few months, as we can be alone and intimate.

Those special moments meant everything and helped us maintain the promises we made.

Standing beside Anthony all these years was harsh in ways that no one could know.

Prison life is isolated, even for those abroad. I went to weddings and watched other husbands living their lives. But I never thought about another relationship.

Finally, in January 2024, after many delays and setbacks, Anthony was released. Until now I saw him wandering on the prison bus, I hardly thought it was happening.

I had to wait in my car, but when he opened the door and enters into, we held each other tightly. I felt I was dreaming.

The external life was a whirlwind of the new experiences of Anthony. He never used a smartphone, and the crowded places at first felt.

Our journey was difficult, but it made us stronger and more gratitude to each day together

We had to find our nature and routine as a couple, despite the fact that we have married 15 years ago.

Now, we plan for our “real” wedding in Hawaii in April, and I am pregnant with our first child. After all years of waiting, the surrealists believe that we will be parents soon.

We love to go to walk and talk about future Without imprisonment, it is waving on the horizon on us. Our journey was difficult, but it made us stronger and more gratitude to each day together. “