6 days of heaven. 6 days of bliss.
6 short, short days.
Fate and Karma, my twin bitch watchdogs, were up to their usual hi-jinks. A water main break at Washington Reagan airport and I know that my first flight is canceled as I am walking into the airport.
But I am unfazed – I have no fear or doubt. My heart is light and my will is strong. “I will be in your arms tonight,” I tell you early in the morning as I am waiting for the bad news at the first airport.
A complete new flight plan with changes in both departure and destination airports simply mean a 12 hour arrival delay.
The sunrise is gorgeous over the hills of Pennsylvania as I drive between airports.
Then the waiting begins. I buy, read, and finish a book I’ve been meaning to read. I buy you yet another gift. I field a couple of fretting phone calls from worried parents.
My flight is delayed. It is going to make my connection tight as hell. I text you to let you know that you may not hear from me between flights but we will be together soon.
On the plane the flight crew talks to us about connections. They are making some very nice accommodations. They don’t mention my next flight so I ask. It’s the same plane and crew. I think I’ll make my second flight without a problem.
It’s been a long day when I land the second time. I should be exhausted from the stress, the driving, and the waiting. But I’m awake and thrilled to be so close to in your arms. Checked bags collected I call you to tell you I’m here.
A car rental and a short drive is all that is between us.
My GPS is getting a nice workout today. Glad my parents got it for me for Christmas 
I pull into a country driveway, wondering if this rental car has enough clearance.
I’m greeted by 2 dogs as I get out of the car. I’m nervous. I’m excited. I’m strangely calm. Yes – my palms are sweaty again.
I’m 20 feet from your front door.
I hear your door open and the creak of your front steps.
And there you are, coming around the van parked between me and the house.
You are back lit from your house light. Your hair is glowing around you. Your hands are stuffed into your jacket pockets. You are smiling.
Time stands still as I walk towards you and take you into my arms, your arms finding their way around my back. You feel good in my arms. You feel right in my arms. You feel like you belong in my arms.
The world falls away.
I have no memory of my first words to you. I remember having to tell myself to breathe.
But I remember our first kiss. And the split-second of panic that I rushed it until you lean into me and our lips meet. Our first kiss is both brief and timeless. It is a moment that holds a lifetime of promise. In that moment everything I feel for you comes together in my core. In that moment I have no doubt, no self-fear, no arrogance – just the love I have for you, the joy in my soul of knowing your touch, and the certainty of our future together.
One kiss turns to many and then our faces are buried in each other’s necks as we simply hold each other tight. This is what I have dreamed of. This is what I have longed for. Knowing your presence. Feeling you real against me. Tasting your breath as you speak.
You tell me you have to take your son to work in about an hour as we walk towards the house. I tell you that I’ll come with if you like.
Sitting on your couch that first hour waiting for your son to get ready for work, I feel like I am 16, on a different couch, one ear listening for my parents to come down the stairs. Who are the adults here?
And so begins the best week of my life. In many ways, this is the first week of my life. My new life that has been born of our love.
Things that surprised me:
– Your height, even though I knew it. And I told you it would still surprise me.
– Your strength. I already knew the strength of your love and of your soul but I was unprepared for your physical strength. Even though I know you run and work out and I had told you it will take me a year to catch up to you.
– How quickly I became comfortable in your presence. Even though we both retained a teen-aged awkward nervousness throughout the week.
– Not having a surprise visit from your daughters.
Most often recurring memory: hand in hand walking through Walmart, your red hair bouncing, smile lighting your face and making your eyes sparkle.
Sweetest memory: feeling your lips on mine, each of us distracting the other as a short “walk-by” kiss is prolonged.
Funniest moment: ( smirk )
Silliest synchronicity: both of us realizing, at about the same time, that neither of us took any pictures of the other.
What I miss the most: having you in my arms, our bodies warm and relaxed against each other as we go to sleep. And then feeling and seeing you as I wake. Knowing the comfort that love sleeps and wakes beside me.
Hardest thing I’ve ever done: watching you get into the car and drive away from the airport.
Being with you … feels like home
No Comments