A LITTLE LOVE

So I know its been too long since I last posted, but life happens. In the life of a mom, kids get sick, projects pile up, and posting gets put on the back burner. So I apologize to all and hope this extra sweet posting will make up for my absence. Just in time for Valentine's Day...a little history...a little love...a life changing moment.

A LITTLE HISTORY

I had just graduated high school the summer of 1994, when my long time friend Sarah asked if I wanted to double with her and a couple of guys she had known since junior high. I was hesitant, knowing how uncomfortable blind dates can be, but after some convincing decided to go. I would call it the date that almost didn't happen. For a variety of reasons we almost didn't meet at all. After some phone calls made and plans rearranged Sarah and I were downtown meeting the guys.

Mike had just returned from a tour in Cuba as a Marine, on a one month leave before returning to a new post in 29 Palms, California. I met him the last week of his leave(vacation). When we pulled up outside a club our eyes immediately locked. Love at first sight? I don't know, definitely something. Our date consisted of unimportant events but significant moments. A game of pool, sharing some quesadillas and hot chocolate, riding in the back seat of his friends car. Moments. I was so shy, so was he. Somewhere on that fateful night a kiss happened and sparks flew.

Needless to say it was a magical week. Mike and I spent almost every day together. We did nothing. We did everything. It was the most romantic week I can remember. There's just nothing like young love in the summertime! The only problem is that summer eventually ends.

I took him to the airport. I remember feeling sick to my stomach. I gave him my senior portrait and a box of cookies my mom had made. I stayed with him until his flight arrived, we said our goodbyes, promising to write, and then he was gone.

I can still recall how I felt when I walked back to my car. Empty.

Months went by, and as with most promises of keeping touch, the letters were fewer and fewer. I had hoped he would be home for the holidays but I was disappointed when I didn't get a call. Then Valentine's Day came, I decided to send him a card with my feelings of missing him inside. This is the poem I wrote him one tearful night...

Night falls, darkness fills my room,

and I think of you,

I think about the time we spent together,

the way you made me smile,

how your skin felt against my cheek

when I listened to your heart beat.

I think about all the dreams we shared together.

Then I think...of the great distance

we are apart,

the darkness comes inside me

and it fills my heart

A month after that poem a letter came from Mike, then a telephone number, a few calls, overwhelming excitement. It really seemed like things were solid between us. It had been 9 months since we had seen each other, and I missed him desperately. Plans were made to visit him, for and extended weekend. I begged my parents to let me go, and after much discussion of how I was 18 and could go whether or not they approved it, they gave in. Mike would make the plane and hotel reservations for me. I was exuberant and in love and feeling like nothing in the world could go wrong. Then something went wrong. He flaked. I don't mean like he got sent to combat and just had to reschedule...I mean totally flaked. No arrangements and not even a phone call to me were made.

That was it for me. I was done. Heartbroken. I gave up on trying to make a relationship work with a guy who was obviously not that nuts for me. I went out with a few other guys, of course comparing each one to Mike. Pointless dates but it filled the time, distracted from the pain I felt. It was a hard time. I wrote another poem to him, this one not so sweet, so I will not share it.

Well you have to know by now that this love story must have a happy ending, so I'll get on with it...

It was May, about a month later, when I found the letter from Mike. The letter of all letters. The kind of words girls always dream of hearing. I will not repeat it verbatim cause he will kill me. I will give you the highlights...he expressed all he was feeling for me, that he wanted to marry me even though we hardly knew each other, that he hoped I could forgive him. I have to say I was so confused, feeling like this guy was just stringing me along. I wanted to believe all these beautiful words, but couldn't trust his sincerity. So I wrote him my response immediately! I decided, though, to wait a week before mailing it. Make him sweat it out a bit. I was just about to mail the letter when I got the phone call.

A LITTLE LOVE

Mike was home, not more than 5 minutes from me. Oh yeah, I played hard to get for like 10 minutes. Said I was busy, had plans, sorry maybe another time. After some convincing on his part we made plans to see a movie the next night. There we were again, face to face, eyes locked, spark still there. I held out as long as possible...but a girl can only resist a cute boy for so long before she buckles. He had my number, and I let him dial it. It was true love, powerful and resilient.

Our time together only lasted a few days. However, enough to lock us in as a couple. We wrote and spoke all the time. We planned future trips to see each other. Talked about his upcoming training in Okinawa. The idea of marriage was even discussed. We had planned that once he returned from overseas we would get hitched. I was so happy. So so happy. Wishing I could see him everyday and knowing he wished it too. The very best feeling. Only to be dampened by his leaving a few months later. I didn't let that get me down. I still had one or two more chances to see him before then and I had his love.

A LIFE CHANGING MOMENT

I remember leafing through a bridal magazine at work one day. Dreaming of what my wedding would be like the following year. A few coworkers took notice, inquired about my new love. I shared our dreams and plans for me to visit him in a few weeks for 4th of July weekend. Now remember, at that time he was stationed in 29 Palms, California. East of LA, North of Palm Springs, West of Las Vegas. One lady I worked with, after hearing where he was stationed, advised me to not run off to Vegas during my visit. I giggled, said why would I ever think of doing that? Then, I thought, why wouldn't I?

Can you take a guess at what happened next?

One fateful phone call and one convincing conversation. Why not now? Together forever now. Every moment, every day now. He said yes. A modern proposal.

A frenzy of mother/daughter moments. Finding a dress (perfect fit, right off the rack) finding a veil (a mother's tears), making all the necessary travel arrangements. My poor family and best friend driving 14 hours, in the July heat, through California, just to be there for me. Rings bought off a buddy who didn't need them anymore. It was hilarious, looking back now, when you want to be with someone so much. The silly little details you forget about. It was amazing that everything worked out, but it did.

July 1st, 1995 at "The Little White Wedding Chapel" in Las Vegas, Nevada. A quick nontraditional ceremony, an exhausted audience, a kiss that lasted way too long to be appropriate. We were married! We were husband and wife. Young and in love. It was absolutely amazing. A memory I will never forget. A story I wanted to share with all who are in the mood for a romantic tale tonight. Was it fate? Luck? God? Maybe a little bit of all three. But it was something, something amazing.

Thank you for reading the love story of my life...

Live in love..

Lucky lass