By Sofia Escudero

Born in 1972 in Lima, Peru, Ramon Escudero was the 4th child born of a family of 7. Growing up, he didn’t have much in his life. Whenever his family ate, it was a race for food, never knowing when they would next eat. But he knew that he wanted to make a change in Peru. He worked hard throughout all of his school years and eventually got a job in the government, following his dream to change Peru’s views.

In July 1996, his work had offered fellowships to people around the world. Ramon was in charge of handing out the first set of papers out, papers with each person’s name. While calling out names, he came to the name S. McNulty. Calling out for S. McNulty a young woman approached him, thinking it’d be a man he was caught slightly off guard, but thought nothing of it. 

Some time later, a party was thrown to celebrate the coming together of new countries. At the party a woman suddenly approached him. “I had no idea she’d play such a big part in my life.” Ramon said. She told him that her friend, Stephanie McNulty, was interested in him, but was too shy to approach him herself . He was slightly confused, but ended up giving her his business card to give to her shy friend. They bot forgot about this night until they saw each other at another work party. After that they quickly started dating.

Soon later Stephanie had to go back to America. Ramon and Stephanie called everyday and Ramon would visit her in America a few times. He didn’t know much English, only being able to ask where the bathroom is, so they would talk in Spanish.

While being on the phone every night, calling his girlfriend, he worked hard hours at his job. He left work at almost 1 am everyday, and had to return a few hours later. While working for the Peruvian government, his girlfriend back in America was writing papers about Peru’s dictator president. This didn’t go very well. “My boss came up to me and told me my girlfriend was writing lies and to stay away from her.” Ramon recalled. “Obviously I didn’t.”

Just two years after meeting, Ramon and Stephanie decided to get married. Originally it was going to happen in Peru, but Stephanie’s father was soon diagnosed with terminal cancer. Stephanie wanted her father and sister to marry them, as they were a judge and minister. So they decided to get married in the United States. Ramon got a fiancé visa and moved to America two weeks before their wedding date. A few months after their wedding, Stephanie’s father passed away.

After their marriage, Ramon started English classes and soon after started attending University again. And after a few work trips, Ramon and Stephanie decided to settle down and in 2007, they had their first daughter. A year later Stephanie got a new job at Franklin and Marshall College and their family moved to Lancaster Pennsylvania. After moving they had their second daughter in June 2009. Now they still live in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with their 2 daughters, and 3 pets. Although Ramon wasn’t able to stay in Peru with his family, he sees them a lot. Being the first Escudero to leave his family and come to America, he started a new life and is going strong. He inspires everyone everyday, especially me and my sister. I’m proud to call this man my father and aspire to be able to be as brave as him.

Not all immigrant stories are scary and born of harsh conditions; some happen because of love. But all are important nonetheless.