Some people and places are worth a second (or third or fourth) look. The more you see, the deeper you respect and admire the inner and outer beauty. It feels like home.
A Second Look (His View)
My Way (his view)
I like strong people. I admire a strong person, particularly of the female persuasion. I’m a sucker for powerful, feminine magnetism. I love a lady who has an effortless air of presence. It’s such an attractive quality to me.
One whom embodies such wily persuasions diverts my attention, in a good way. She pulls me forward and makes me want to be more. I get excited to spend time with her and share ideas.
When we share a vision, we take turns leading and following, pulling each other to ever higher plateaus. Don’t we all need someone in our life that inspires us?
My girl hooked me when I first heard her saying “my way.” The context was very sweet – raising money for charity before an evening out with her “Saturday night rock” (her now late father). I’ve never heard the use of those two simple words in that context before. Eloquent and poignant in hindsight.
She always does things her way. Her way is wickedly compassionate. Her way is awesomely considerate. Her way is lovingly sweet. Her way is outrageously authentically hers in all the good ways a “way” could be.
Her way is becoming my way and I’m glad we are travelling in the same way together. I hope to see her rolling in the dough my way…or hers. I’m indifferent.
Mille-feuille (his view)
Commitment comes in ever deepening layers – relationship mille-feuille. Just when you think you’ve found another layer of sweet creamy pastry, another just as soft and tasty just lies just below. With each sweet creamy layer, we just fall deeper in love with … um … French pastry?!?
Last weekend.
She knows what I mean, but maybe you need a few more details. Let me foreshadow…it went really well.
- Met the parents – well mine – we did. Check.
- My sister and cousin, who my girl has never met, text with her more than they do with me. Check.
- Of course, it was a bit hairy when she stayed with me for the first time. After a week of scrubbing and disinfecting, I think my place sparkled by man standards, though maybe not like the top of the Chrysler building. Relief and check.
More importantly, there was something amazingly special to spend time together last weekend. We had conversations that projected us together well into the future.
In previous conversations, the tone was more of due diligence and framed as a question – could we make a long distance relationship work? Last weekend the context changed from could it work to how can we make this work. A subtle but noticeable and very emotional shift in the conversation.
Emotional in the context that this isn’t going to be easy. Not only do we have a large body of water between us, but we have local anchors that don’t travel with us when we see each other. We are both thinking about more than just ourselves and playing a bit of Tetris to try and make the pieces fit.
But when it moves beyond exploratory discussion to a commitment to making it happen, oh my, things get very real. The mille-feuille thickened before our eyes. I, rather I mean we, are very excited and a bit scared at the same time to keep going deeper and deeper into this delicious pastry.
It’s just so good, we cannot stop nibbling on it, or each other.
One (his view)
We only get to choose one person in life, that is our partner in life. Now let’s recognize that more than a few of us make this choice successively, but we all seek “the one.”
The one person who can go the distance with us. The one person who compliments with our strengths as well as our weaknesses. The one person that we can’t wait to see and hate to leave.
You don’t get to pick your parents. You don’t get to pick your extended family or your in-laws. You don’t even get much say in picking your children.
No, the only real choice we have is picking one person to sleep next to each night. It’s the same person we wake up next to and welcome each day.
I like that idea. It’s simple. It’s pure. It’s profoundly deep and deeply intimate.
One.
Just one.
My one reads like computer code. The number one person I want to share stories of my day with. Number one on my speed dial. Number one in my heart.
She even lives in the A1A postal code making her one of the first people on this continent to experience every new day. I want to be the one to share that experience with my number one.
One day, we will become one. When added together, one plus one, we will equal 11, because that’s how we do math in the A1A.
My Girl (his view)
Today of all days, March 16, 2017, Megs’ father passed away from an 18 year battle with life’s mortal enemy. Yes, 18 years! In this world, that resilience still deserves a spiritual high five.
The people of her life began in earnest a process of mourning for a father, friend, and an amazing community leader. One who left a legacy so strong that my girl is following in her father’s footsteps. As a father of three daughter’s myself, that’s sweetest compliment any daughter could ingratiate a parent with – to be just like him. Proud.
This morning, she called me shortly after he passed – full on tears. I was so touched that she reached out to me. Me! Literally the guy she met on Tinder a month ago. We’ve become so close.
We haven’t met. There are a 1000 km between us. We’ve talked, never video. But, there is something really special about my girl. I kind of knew this, but watch what happened…
Her friends are flocking home from as far a way as the Western reaches of the continent to quite literally the Eastern most point of the continent – to a time zone so far east of Eastern Time that its 1.5 hours earlier. That’s a tell-tale trait of someone special. It’s telling of the person my girl is. It’s telling of the friends she attracts. It’s telling of the strength of her family.
That’s a hell of story for all you arm chair dating middle something or others. That’s good stuff. Everyone of us wishes we had a daughter, a friend, or a partner that was just like her. Maybe if I’m lucky…
Okay, here’s the deal (his view)
I was stuck in Newfoundland for a few days as not one, but two blizzards passed through this god forsaken province. I had also recently subscribed to Tinder on my phone – you know the app – swipe left and right. Well, if you are going to get stuck in not one, but two blizzards (and you are single), this is definitely the app for you.
It was while stuck in my rental apartment that I happened across a local. The truth is several locals. Thus, the Tinder effect if you are even remotely NOT ugly. I must be a few grades east of hideous because I had a few matches on this particular trip.
As anyone knows, most matches on Tinder go no where. Some go to places that make you feel uncomfortable. And a lucky few have potential. I had one of each.
In the first category, we have the match that didn’t go anywhere, which in the grand scheme of category two and three doesn’t mean anything. It only complicates matters when you get more than one conversation going. Was it you or the other person I told I was freakishly tall? Easier to have one conversation to keep everything straight and avoid “foot in mouth” outbreaks.
The second category – I had one of those. Lovely person I’m sure. Diligent for sure but when I was called “Muffins” after a few text conversations, I knew that this wasn’t the person for me. My grandmother came up with better pet names for me than this stranger. I’m sensitive about my “muffin” and I’m working very hard to eliminate that for the right person in category three.
In category three I met Ms. Amazing. As I write this, a month later, Ms. Amazing and I continue our chats and talks. I love her personality. I’ve long since left the province of Newfoundland, but I’m surprised at how much I’m suddenly feeling drawn back. Let’s me give you a glimpse of why.
I really enjoy talking with someone who loves to play. Someone who is willing to play with language, engage in a battle of wits, and not shy away from a showdown of intelligence. In other words, someone not afraid to have a few laughs and not take things too seriously.
This particular individual is going through a bit of difficult situation. Her “rock” – her dad – has been terminally diagnosed after a courageous 18 year (yes 18 years!) battle against cancer. She has selflessly been by his side supporting her mother the past month. Come on guys – that is so ridiculously attractive. As a father of three daughters, to have a daughter be at your side giving unwavering supporting and love – beautiful. I’m very proud to have met this person.
Every once and while, we meet special people in this world.