The Retreat.

Entering the universe of this Alicante couple is to step into the very essence of their city: a space bathed in light and open to the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea. It is no coincidence that Juan L.’s earliest memories recall the clean, freshly washed streets where he played as a child—perhaps a reflection of what this town truly is: hardworking, luminous, and accustomed to making each day a new beginning, earning one’s bread and starting all over again. A town that lives in the present.

Juan greets me. His kind, inviting smile opens the door to an exchange of experiences where, instantly, one feels the magic and comfort of this marriage, bound by a shared origin, a neighborhood, and lifelong friends. From his childhood, he remembers the priests—“general captains”—and the crowded churches where the “conversion” of those who had belonged to the Republic’s final stronghold was displayed. He also recalls the social unease that surrounded those who had been imprisoned in the bullring for being part of the quinta del saco—men forcibly recruited by the Republican side.

Those were times when history was whispered and gazes spoke louder than words.

Joining us is Maruja, his lifelong companion, who, through countless anecdotes, weaves memories that reveal the character of a tireless, joyful, and affectionate woman.

They lived through the postwar years without great upheaval, devoted to the silent and difficult task of rebuilding. Both began working very young, having learned from their parents that stopping was not an option—that doing was the only verb capable of ensuring the family’s survival in times when hardship was both a measure of possibility and an executioner of lofty dreams.

As a young boy, Juan began selling cold cuts in the family business. There he developed a special sensitivity for grasping the essence of human nature and seeing beyond appearances. The conversations he overheard stripped away stories and concepts until then unknown to him. Over time, he came to understand that all he heard was but a reflection of a shared, universal story, disguised as individuality yet resembling a grand dance under the same carnival mask.

Today, despite all he has seen and heard, he acknowledges what he has learned: his innate intuition to see without looking, and his unbreakable optimism to keep believing in the innate goodness of human beings.

It is impossible to imagine Maruja sewing without singing. Her gift has always been her attentiveness to the small disruptions of her immediate world. School never managed to capture the interest of this spirited woman, but she recognized, in the chords of Juan’s guitar, the music she wanted for the rest of her life. Always willing and kind, sewing became her way of expressing her inner world, turning each stitch into a path toward the lost beauty of every garment her hands caressed. Today, nearly ninety years old, one can still sense the whirlwind energy of this remarkable woman.

The complicity between this couple—united from the start by a deep sensitivity to music—has undoubtedly been the key to their success. Each gave form to their own talent, and their genuine, warm manner reflects the serenity of those who have lived fully, without regret, and with the quiet satisfaction of having fulfilled their purpose.

For them, life has been a journey of learning, and the familiarity they radiate is a testament to their enduring faith in human nature.

After spending some time in their company, one thing is certain: no one leaves this house without wanting to return.

CFC