Saturday, January 28, 2006

Nine Years

It's been nine years since my guy and I met, online. Boy, time fly's when you're having fun.

After chatting online, then on the phone, we met in person for the first time at the little coffee shop up the road from here. Every once in awhile now, when we drive by that coffee shop, we'll remember our first meeting there, and give each other a little wink.

Back then, his son was just 14 years old, my son was just 7 and about to turn 8 years old, and my daughter was 15. We had both been married for up-teen years, both divorced and just starting to date again.


One of the first memories of those early months was a birthday party for my son. My guy was so tickled at the "cake" I had for the kids. I made "a cup of dirt with worms" for each of all the kids at my son's party that year. The kids thought that was the greatest "cake" they've ever had! We still have a photo above our computer of my son and his cup of dirt with worms.

Another early memory was a trip we took to Monterey, California, just a few months after meeting. My parents still lived there, back then. My kids had gone to Monterey with my parents during spring break that year, and my guy and I went drove down later that week. We toured around Santa Cruz and went to Roaring Camp to ride the little steam engine through the redwoods.

We also spent some time in Monterey at the wharf, and in Pacific Grove... we had dinner at the Fishwife restaurant, a fresh fish with Latin accent restaurant. The hostess was unforgettable... she was probably in her early 70's and wished everyone well by giving them a hug and peck on the cheek as they left after dinner.

The Hale-Bopp comet was making it's appearance. Turns out we both were interested in astronomy. While driving across the Nevada desert on that trip to Monterey, we pulled off the road and up a side road in the middle of the night to stop and watch the comet. We even tried to video tape the comet, and weren't sure if we got it or not. We did. Technology is so good.

Over the years, we've had our ups and downs, together and in our own personal lives. He lost his Grandmother and then, his Dad. I lost my house and my car in a custody battle with my exhusband. We both lost jobs and were unemployed at the same time.


We have had bunches of good times that make up for any of the bad times, like traveling across America for a month in an 18-wheeler, big rig. I truly know the meaning of "America the Beautiful." Everywhere we went, I found myself saying, "Wow, it's beautiful here!" The south is absolutely BEAUTIFUL, and probably takes first place in beauty for me! From Arkansas to the Carolinas. Central and northern parts of Pennsylvania, Savannah and New York City were a few of the highlights of this trip. I'll have to do an entry on just that trip, someday.


Our kids are of the four-legged, fury kind. Our first was Harley. What a little character he was. His life was taken from us in a horrible accident, just over a year ago.

Lucy was our next, she chased after Harley from the moment we brought her home.

Then, came Molly. Molly is Harley's daughter.

A year later, Rodney, Ozzy and Peanut came home to us at different times, all three Harley's sons from the same litter.

Last year, we kept one of Lucy's puppies, Sadie. There's nothing like a herd of Yorkies smothering you with love the second you get home at night!

4 comments:

sunflowerkat said...

It sounds like it's been nine happy years. I wish you many, many more.

Sie said...

Happy belated birthday!

The new format looks very nice too!

Anonymous said...

Your journal is ALWAYS a treat. I couldn't help but smile when I saw the pic of the comet. I remember it all too well. I love astronomy as well. Please feel free to visit me any time.
...sweetest dreams...TERRY

Anonymous said...

Nice entry! and the dogs as alway are beautiful. I see in my mind that herd of, as a dear friend calls his two, Sofa Goats with wagging stumps and silky hair flying.