TESTIMONY. “I married the prisoner who had contacted me to rent an apartment when he left prison”

The profession of real estate agent involves a lot of interpersonal skills. However, it is quite rare to fall in love with a client. Yet this is what happened to Erica Castro. It all started at the end of 2020, the young 29-year-old Texan was contacted by Austin Sanders. A friend of Erica’s gave her her work contact information. On the phone, the young man of 25, looking for an apartment, seems serious and well in all respects.

During this first contact, the current passes well between them. “I didn’t know he was incarcerated until the call said, ‘You have one minute left’ and that’s when he said he’d call me back,” Erica recalls . Because, the endorsement Austin has actually been in prison for seven years. The young man was convicted of complicity in theft. Anticipating his release, the detainee has taken the initiative and is looking for accommodation for his release, in eight months. When he calls her back, the Texan is not put off by this unexpected information. He paid for his youthful mistakes and everyone has the right to a new chance in life, she thinks.

“I saw very quickly that he was a good man, with clear intentions. The man I needed”

In his eyes, the prisoner has everything to succeed in his reintegration. Over the next seven months, Erica and Austin spoke to each other regularly, by phone and by letter. And strong feelings develop between them. “While he was incarcerated, we got to know each other, explains the American. We were not physically side by side and the distance was painful. I very quickly saw that he was a good man, with clear intentions. The man I needed.”

On June 9, 2021, at age 26, Austin was released. Outside, Erica is waiting for him… It’s their first meeting in the flesh. “I was nervous but, the minute we hugged, I felt serenity, my worries faded,” she recalls.

“I’m so happy that I didn’t let any negative opinion influence me”

Erica quickly introduces him to her 10-year-old daughter, Lily. But his relatives do not see this relationship with an ex-con in a very good light. “My family was afraid that he would use me, that he would be with me out of interest, she recalls. But they quickly changed their minds once they saw that Austin had lots of little girls. attentions for me, that he was sending me gifts, flowers. Especially since he also asked to meet them.”

On December 27, 2021, six months after his release from prison, the couple married, with the blessing of Erica’s parents. “I’m so happy that I didn’t let any negative opinions influence me, because I married my best friend,” the beauty cooed in a TikTok video that has been viewed more than 8 million times. Always so in love, our two lovebirds now plan to expand the family. A model reintegration!