From Brazil to Florida's Shores
Angela Schuler's Journey of Courage and Connection
Angela Schuler's odyssey from Brazil to Admirals Cove is a saga of courage, resilience, and the pursuit of love and fulfillment.
From her humble beginnings in Brazil, Angela began her career as a math teacher while her then-husband owned a neighborhood lumber store. The allure of better opportunities eventually convinced the young couple to make the journey to the United States.
With $500 in hand, they moved to North Carolina to pursue the American Dream. Overcoming language barriers, Angela and her children quickly adapted, immersing themselves in English classes, mastering the language within a remarkably short period. In time, the family migrated south and settled in the village of Miami Shores.
Setting up shop in Aventura, they began a company called R.D. Souza, where Angela supported her young family by taking on the role of a house cleaner while her husband forged a path in the construction industry. The company flourished under Angela's meticulous management and organizational skills, earning accolades such as an award from the City of Miami for distinctive architectural designs.
As their expertise in stucco work grew, they established Miami Foam Design, catering to the burgeoning demand for lightweight construction materials. Angela's strategic vision and her husband's craftsmanship propelled their business to new heights. Eventually, Angela's oldest son, Eddie, joined the company and, later, their youngest daughter, Elisa. Andre, Angela's middle child, decided to forgo the family business and instead pursued a career in law enforcement, where he is now a police officer for the City of Miami Beach.
As time went by and the children became adults, Angela's marriage came to an amicable end, which opened the door to new beginnings.
Enter Richard.
A long-time resident of Admirals Cove, Richard's path intersected with Angela's through the serendipitous world of online dating. There were plenty of single people to swipe left or right, but no one sparked Richard's attention until this beautiful Brazilian caught his eye.
Angela recalls that she was visiting her son in Coconut Creek one Saturday when she got a notification to check her profile. There, she saw Richard's photo and found his beautiful face and warm smile intoxicating. Angela decided to give him the thumbs up (so to speak) and sent him a message. Angela was initially disappointed to see that Richard lived in Jupiter, as she was currently living in Aventura. This wouldn't work in her mind as the distance would make it much too tricky. She was interested in a relationship, but long distance wasn't acceptable.
Richard, a Founding Partner at the law firm Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter, is used to negotiating for the results he wants, so he continued to pursue Angela with unwavering resolve, determined to win Angela's heart and forge a connection that transcended physical distance.
On their very first date, they met at a midway point on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. Sparks flew amidst laughter and shared stories, and from that moment on, their connection deepened. Eventually, their frequent inter-county visits and passionate conversations bridged the gap between Miami and Jupiter.
Richard's role as a lawyer proved invaluable as he navigated the complexities of their budding relationship, employing his persuasive skills to overcome Angela's initial skepticism about long-distance love. With each encounter, Richard's dedication and commitment to their future grew stronger, culminating in Angela's decision to take a leap of faith.
Their love story reached its zenith as the couple exchanged vows in December 2017, solidifying their bond and embarking on a new chapter of their lives together. Despite facing challenges, including Angela's recent battle with breast cancer, their love and resilience prevailed.
Angela's story is not just one of personal triumph but also of familial bonds and cultural heritage. Despite the physical distance from her siblings in Brazil, Angela remains deeply connected to her roots, cherishing annual family reunions and celebrating the successes of her brothers and sisters in various professional fields. Richard, too, has been embraced by Angela's family, finding a place among them and cherishing the bonds forged through love and acceptance.
Angela and Richard find comfort in the warmth of their Admiral's Cove community and the support of their loved ones. Angela's battle with breast cancer served as a poignant reminder of life's fragility, but through perseverance and unwavering support, she has inspired those around her with her strength and resilience. She credits Richard, her family, and her friends in Admirals Cove for helping her overcome the disease, which is now in remission.
Once Richard's sanctuary, their home in Admirals Cove, has now become a symbol of their shared dreams and aspirations. Of course, it should be noted that when Angela first moved into the Spyglass home Richard had built in the '90s, it was a given that she would remodel. Richard wasn't surprised, but when she said she needed to convert his home office to a closet, he wasn't thrilled. Luckily, his son's old room was a good size, so it, too, went through a makeover and now makes for a comfortable place for Richard to work and talk to clients.
As they look toward the future, Angela and Richard remain committed to each other and the vibrant community they call home. The connection between the couple is a testament to the transformative power of love, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of happiness.