The Pursuit of Happiness – I found it in Chengdu

China Daily website is inviting you to share Chengdu Story with us! and here are some points that we hope will help contributors:

Chengdu, a city with over 14 million populations, its airport is among one of the 30 busiest airports in the world, more than 260 Fortune 500 companies have established branches and it was named China's fourth most livable city by China Daily, and the second luxuries market after Shanghai by Women's Wear Daily. This is where I currently live.

I am a well-traveled German who speaks six languages. In fact, I cycled from Europe to China, following the ancient Silk Road, I rode for more than 25,000 kilometers and through 27 countries, only stopping because of an unfortunate accident that put me in a hospital for more than a month. Perhaps one day, I might write a book to recapture my adventurous days during my cycling tour, but today, I’d like to share another kind of adventure, one that I embarked on by believing in one’s heart.

Cycling on the silk road from West to East

Bicycle Accident in China

To begin, I have to start from a night more than three years ago. I was temporarily living in Chengdu at the time after my accident. Just by pure chance, I decided to go to a popular local bar frequented by many foreigners. It was a night like many others, a crowded bar, with people squeezing in together. The band was playing, and the music was blasting. As I scanned the room, there she was, a petite figure wrapped around in a silky green dress, with deep V-shaped open back. Her long hair fell naturally on her back, thick and wavy. Her eyes were looking around the crowd with thoughtful expression. She looked beautiful, sophisticated and exquisite.

Beauty of Chengdu, Li Dan

I couldn’t contain my curiosity, as I wanted to get to know her, and I wanted to hear her story. After introducing myself and a couple of drinks later, I found out that she was visiting town. Although a native from Chengdu, she had been living and working in New York for more than 15 years. Her English was perfect, and her posture was elegant. She was witty, and polite. By the end of the night, we exchanged numbers and agreed to meet again for coffee, and before departing, I wrote down my personal web address so that she could check out my world tour on www.kaessmodel.com.

Years later, I would ask her what it was that made her attracted to me. I remember her telling me she just knew that I was the one from the very first moment she met me. Love, indeed works wonders.

According to the website Founders & Founders, an average number of people for any one person to meet in their lifetime is around 80,000, and more than half of that amount is just people who simply pass by, without leaving any impact. There are even fewer of those who would actually stay and remain friends or become associates, and I believe out of all that, there is only one, true special person who is meant to be the partner that we search for, and it was in Chengdu, a city of romance and beauty that I found my partner in life.

Of course, the journey to that realization was not a simple and easy one. She lived in New York, one of the most vibratant cities in the world, and I lived in Chengdu, a poetic place that hosts foodies and creative minds. We were thousands of miles apart, without any real social ties to each other, and not sharing any professional circles. What bonded us was the undeniable attraction, both intellectual and physical, as well as the challenge that I felt about this lady. I cannot put her in any category simply because she was not like anyone that I had ever met!

So began the long journeys between the two continents, as we agreed that we would not be apart for more than five weeks. The next year and a half was the true testament to our commitment and dedication. We toured Hawaii’s big island on bicycles, set up camps in the wild, swam and sang under the stars and waterfalls. We slept in the desert and the sky was our blanket. We dined and wined by the beach of my former home town Barcelona, only the birds can bear witness to our secrets. We held long talks, and deep conversations, in search of shared values and our passion in life. We argued and clashed on ideas and we agreed to disagree. From U.S.A. to Europe, from West to East, city after city, we took every opportunity we could find to be with each other, and through thousands of miles, two lonely souls, searching for true love. Little by little, we grew closer, and closer.

Discovering China

Cycling in California

Looking back, I would ask her what gave her the courage to go through everything and never give up. She would tell me because she knew that I was the one and if there was a mountain in front of her, she’d figure out a way to move it in order to be with me. My lovely lady and my champion, she actually did just that.

Today, both of us live happily in Chengdu. She quit her good job (she was the managing director of a reputable law firm in New York), along with it the comfortable life style, leaving the city that she adored behind to move back to Chengdu. Together, we started the consulting company Ferrante & Partners, Ltd. Were we assist our clients with businesses and immigration needs in America, China and Europe. Juggling both professional and private life with the same person present many challenges but I found that having an interracial relationship is also rewarding. She is Chinese but also has western culture and values. She is my partner in business, and my lover in life. Recently, she added a new role by becoming the mother of my child. By the grace of Buddha, we were blessed with a beautiful boy who links her and me for an eternity to come.

Our company Ferrante & Partners, Ltd.

Anniversary Celebration in Niccolo Hotel, Chengdu

As we settled down in this beautiful city, Chengdu, we look back on our journey thus far, feeling blessed and happy. Two people who could not have been more different met in Chengdu, a city with millions of people. Together we followed our hearts, and stayed true to ourselves. Were we afraid at one point that the journey might not work out, but oh yes, very much yes, but like my wife always likes to say: if there is a will, there is a way.

Mr & Mrs Kim

Our new born son

I want to share my story with many other couples and singles out there. If you believe in love, please be brave and embrace it, as love indeed works wonders.

Yours Kim

The opinions expressed do not represent the views of the China Daily website.

[Please click here to read more My Chengdu Story. You are welcome to share your Chengdu stories with China Daily website readers. Please send your story to chengdu2016@chinadaily.com.cn]