Julieta Martinelli

Maria tells the story that we've all basically memorized by now. How she and Suave met at Graterford Prison while he was incarcerated. How they kept in touch over the years. How things have changed from reporter and source to friendship.

After years trying to decipher their relationship, pen pals, interviewer, interviewee, creative collaborators, Maria and Suave have been saying the F-word openly now. Friendship. Although, what does it actually mean? I recently asked both Suave and Maria to give me their own definitions of friendship.

After years trying to decipher their relationship, pen pals, interviewer, interviewee, creative collaborators, Maria and Suave have been saying the F-word openly now. Friendship. Although, what does it actually mean? I recently asked both Suave and Maria to give me their own definitions of friendship.

After years trying to decipher their relationship, pen pals, interviewer, interviewee, creative collaborators, Maria and Suave have been saying the F-word openly now. Friendship. Although, what does it actually mean? I recently asked both Suave and Maria to give me their own definitions of friendship.

And this friendship in particular between Maria and Suave, it's had some highs, but also it's had some really rough spots.

And this friendship in particular between Maria and Suave, it's had some highs, but also it's had some really rough spots.

And this friendship in particular between Maria and Suave, it's had some highs, but also it's had some really rough spots.

Friendship, or intimacy in general for that matter, has been one of the biggest challenges for Suave since getting out of prison. How to connect with someone, how to be vulnerable, how to be open. All of these things that he never really had to think about because in prison, it was so important to protect himself, to close himself off from other people.

Friendship, or intimacy in general for that matter, has been one of the biggest challenges for Suave since getting out of prison. How to connect with someone, how to be vulnerable, how to be open. All of these things that he never really had to think about because in prison, it was so important to protect himself, to close himself off from other people.

Friendship, or intimacy in general for that matter, has been one of the biggest challenges for Suave since getting out of prison. How to connect with someone, how to be vulnerable, how to be open. All of these things that he never really had to think about because in prison, it was so important to protect himself, to close himself off from other people.

From Futuro Studios, this is Suave. I'm Julieta Martinelli. In 2017, David Luis Suave Gonzalez was released from prison after 31 years serving a life sentence without parole. He was one of thousands of juvenile lifers granted a second chance at life. This is a story about life after incarceration and the search for the true meaning of freedom. This is Season 2.

From Futuro Studios, this is Suave. I'm Julieta Martinelli. In 2017, David Luis Suave Gonzalez was released from prison after 31 years serving a life sentence without parole. He was one of thousands of juvenile lifers granted a second chance at life. This is a story about life after incarceration and the search for the true meaning of freedom. This is Season 2.

From Futuro Studios, this is Suave. I'm Julieta Martinelli. In 2017, David Luis Suave Gonzalez was released from prison after 31 years serving a life sentence without parole. He was one of thousands of juvenile lifers granted a second chance at life. This is a story about life after incarceration and the search for the true meaning of freedom. This is Season 2.

On this episode, love, relationships, and the fear of the unknown.

On this episode, love, relationships, and the fear of the unknown.

On this episode, love, relationships, and the fear of the unknown.

Now, seven years later, Suave isn't married, but he is in a relationship. After Maria's talk at the school in Philly, Suave invites us to his home.

Now, seven years later, Suave isn't married, but he is in a relationship. After Maria's talk at the school in Philly, Suave invites us to his home.

Now, seven years later, Suave isn't married, but he is in a relationship. After Maria's talk at the school in Philly, Suave invites us to his home.

For some context, Suave has been pretty secretive about his dating life with us. But with this person, it seems that something has changed. So on this day, we take an Uber together to North Philly. And there, we meet his partner, Lucero. She's all smiles. Lucero is Puerto Rican.