After I write and publish each of these installments, I think of details I have neglected to share. Some of the details don’t matter much in the grand scheme of things. Yet, sometimes I believe they are important in helping others understand our story. I don’t believe we owe anyone any explanations but, since we had a pretty private beginning, it’s nice to be able to share some of the details with those who know each of us. Even in my mind, I get the sequence of events wrong on occasion. I do remember some things so very clearly but I don’t remember exactly when or in which order they happened. Now, three months ago seems like a lifetime ago and I am honestly amazed at how many important and special memories we have created in that very short span of time.

I almost forgot an important detail about a “strange phenomena” that occurred once I moved into this house. Those who know me know I have always been a pretty darned good cook and baker. Some miracle happened when I stepped foot into this house. For some unknown reason, the quality of my cooking has elevated beyond what it has ever been before. I shake my head at this almost daily when I haphazardly throw something together for breakfast or dinner and it is delicious beyond words. I’m honestly not trying to be egotistical or anything of the sort – it is just the truth. Trust me, I made a roast chicken within the first few weeks here that would have made any professional chef proud. And the chicken noodle soup I made with the leftovers………heavenly!!!

The weather here in Virginia this winter was not exactly pleasant. Snowy and cold – for this Midwestern girl, that is what I am used to so, no big deal, right? WRONG!!! These roads and this traffic are VERY different from Western Iowa and Eastern Nebraska. On the day of the first anticipated storm of 2014, I was in Culpeper, packing up more belongings and still just trying to “adjust”. I knew I was going to have to either stay at the house in Culpeper or hurry up and get back to Don’s house before the nastiness arrived. Being stranded at Don’s house was very much the preferred alternative so, I hopped into Oompa to be sure I was back by mid-afternoon. When I sent Don a message telling him I was on my way, he informed me that he was already home prepping everything for the potential storm. Again, I am a Midwestern farm girl but, this concept of preparation was foreign to me. I was extremely curious about what Don meant by this.

When I arrived at the house, long before any bad weather started, I saw a generator sitting in the yard. As I walked into the house, there was a very cozy fire in the fireplace, plenty of wood stacked next to the fireplace and a wagon right outside the back door full of more wood. And, even though I did not pay attention enough attention to notice it at the time, a feeder full of bird food. As soon as I had entered the house, I went straight into “farm girl” mode and started making a big pot of hearty beef stew. Soon the house was not only cozy warm but also smelled of delicious home cooking. Now, THAT is how a home should feel and smell. The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent just enjoying each others company. We each spent some time on our computers keeping our respective Mafia Wars games running but, mainly, we were either sitting on the couch together, talking, watching TV, showing each other silly Facebook posts and going outside for a cigarette together. As had been the nature of our friendship and conversation from the very beginning, some of our talk was casual and some of it was on a much deeper level. Just companionable, comfortable, and relaxed.

As this unpleasant winter moved forward, there were other “bouts” of this type of weather. Weather that kept us at home, nestled in and avoiding the cold nastiness. What a blessing this was for what turned out to be the beginnings of “us”. Several evenings and a few days of just being together. Spending time together. Laughing together. Just relaxing. Just being in the moment with no demands or expectations. When you begin any relationship, especially one that will endure life’s challenges, a solidly built foundation is essential. The foundation we built during this time is a very good one. Each block was placed with precision and care without either of us even realizing what we were doing.

I ended the last installment with our first kiss. Admittedly, after that kiss, things progressed pretty rapidly but it just doesn’t feel that way to us. What started just a few weeks ago feels like years. And I mean that in a VERY good way. In this moment of our lives, I don’t believe that either of us remembers a time when we didn’t love each other. Some of the rest of the details of our beginnings are nothing that I haven’t or won’t share with our friends if asked but, to put it out there like this just seems wrong. A lot of those memories are just for the two of us. They are meant to be for just us to savor and enjoy. As someone who really has no secrets or keeps much to herself, this is a new,yet wonderful shift in my sense of privacy. To me, it is a wonderful symptom of feeling complete, secure and sincerely happy. Having that one person you can truly share every piece of who and what you are and know they accept and love all of it………overwhelmingly beautiful.

Again, to be continued………..