Vale, Valencia, Vale.

A year ago, we choose Spain from the dropdown menu, scrolling past Australia, England, and Italy, stopping when the haunting voice of Valencia cried ahora, pare.

We were welcomed as strangers and accepted as friends, claiming her streets and breathing her beauty while she exclaimed amigos, dale.

I trained my tongue to mimic her sounds as she laughed, ¡chica, hable!

She amazed me with her beauty and life and taunted me with ¡aquí, mire!

I laughed, and enjoyed her ease, her grace, and her encouragement as she voiced, si, disfrute.

When I cried, she held me close and whispered softly cariña, respire.

When I was tired, I slept as she offered, paz, descanse.

I saw her sun, and smiled and basked as she encouraged, así, mejore.

I grew inside, my heart swelling with hope and confidence and she remarked por fin, sabe.

I watched my children grow and mature in her assurance and safety as she promised me las tengo, calme.

She protected my protector and loved my lover with her quick-witted ¡chico, anime!

Then time cast a spell on me, I blinked, and she began to fade.  I cried, ¿Valencia, dónde?

She sensed my fear and stepped in with a comforting aquí, tranquilize.

I can’t say goodbye to something that has become a part of me, and offer back only a meek por favor, quede.

Then we smile at each other and I thank her for everything.  Vale, Valencia, vale.