Cristina Peña was born HIV positive in 1984. Her father died from AIDS. Her mother is still living with HIV today.

Cristina was told she was HIV positive when she was nine years old, but she and her family kept it a secret from her schoolmates and friends.

In high school, she met and started dating Chris Ondaatje. One day after school Chris decided to tell Cristina that he was in love with her.

That’s when Cristina sat him down for a revelation of her own.

At the time of this recording, Chris and Cristina have been together for 13 years.

Learn how Cristina works to provide healthcare to HIV-positive children in Africa.

Originally aired April 18, 2014, on NPR’s Morning Edition.