The summer of 2011 in Serbia was When We Fell In Love. I had returned to the village of Gornja Grabovica, drawn back to the place where two years prior I had met Branko, a remarkably talented Roma violinist. Our first encounter in 2009 was fleeting; I, a 25-year-old musical director for a circus, was on a quest to learn Roma-style accordion. We shared a moment, a photo taken, but little did I know it was the prelude to our love story.
A Musical Connection Ignited
Our paths crossed again when I returned to Serbia in 2011. Branko, having thought of me every day since my departure, confessed his feelings through a translator. The revelation was magical, a spark igniting despite the language barrier that separated us. That night, at a traditional Serbian dance, or igranke, our connection deepened. His warmth, kindness, and the way he moved captivated me. The following day, we played music for hours, effortlessly composing together despite our limited verbal communication. We understood each other on an instinctual level, laughter bridging any gaps. It was pure romance. When we fell in love, it was in the shared language of music and unspoken understanding.
Falling in Love: Beyond Words
Spending that night at his house, falling asleep in each other’s arms, was pure bliss. The inability to articulate the complexities of our emotions intensified the experience. It was liberating to simply feel, to be present in the moment without the need for constant conversation. When we fell in love, words were unnecessary.
Bridging Cultures and Building a Life Together
Leaving Serbia after three weeks was agonizing. Fueled by my mother’s encouragement and my own yearning, I returned to Serbia three months later, armed with audio tapes to learn Serbian and a one-way ticket. Immersing myself in Branko’s Roma culture, I learned that love wasn’t defined by elaborate courtship rituals but by shared presence and a simple, profound “I love you.”
Our love story culminated in a wedding in March 2012, followed by building a home on the very spot where we first met. We formed a band, Faith i Branko, our shared passion for music solidifying our bond. We’ve toured the world, sharing our music and our story. While language barriers have lessened over time, music remains our universal language, the foundation upon which our love was built and continues to flourish. It was the summer when we fell in love, a love born from music, nurtured by shared experiences, and transcending cultural boundaries.
