A Throw Back to when I met 'HOPE'

As I texted him to share with him that I have the opportunity to show up in his home state, I didn’t realize that what the chances were that things would actually come together and work out, to conclude that in less than 10 hrs I’d be in front of him.

He didn’t only respond to that text message with a text, he called and we spoke about the opportunity as well as what was to take into consideration as we solidified the plans to make this unexpected meeting to occur. For it wasn’t in the books to meet for at least a few more weeks….

As I drove with the friends that helped this meeting to occur, I listened to the conversations at hand, for I knew that if I sat in silence, I’d work myself up inside, knowing that the moments were counting down to stand in front of this amazing human being that I’d been speaking too. Then came the drop off to the airport where I was to board the plane that would take me to him.

I decided that checking my carryon bag was the best idea as the plane was full and I wanted to help the others out, not realizing that prior to seeing him I’d not have the chance to change and freshen up from a long day in NYC. As I chose my seat, I sat next to two women, one of them giving off a comfortable feeling, showing me that sitting next to her I’d be able to calm myself down and enjoy the 4 hour plane ride to the man I’d connected with.

Her name was Amy and she listened to my obnoxious stories and all the feelings that I was going through. She was thoroughly interested and helped me to decide what to change into when I would have the chance prior to appearing before him. Yet, then she also shared with me what the airport lay out was like and that more than likely he’d be waiting for me prior to grabbing my bag. WHAT??!!??? I’m not going to be able to change or freshen up!! Panic had now set in….. And he suggested that I sleep on the plane. This was not an option any longer.

I was able to read, for a little while, as we flew through the night sky. I sat there, in awe, for I’d just experienced another EPIC Event and weekend in my life that was profound and here I was, on my way to meeting a man that I was connecting with, yet I’d never met.

 This was by far way better then what I’d seen in the movies – he was real, handsome, and strong and even better yet, he was everything that he had shared, even better because the man that stood in front of me, wanted me for me.

He took my bag and my hand and walked me to the baggage claim, all the while both of us knowing that we were both nervous yet ecstatic that we were both real and lived up to what we had shared up until this point in our lives with each other.

After we grabbed my bag, we made our way to the vehicle though before we made it outside, he pulled me to the side and I found myself up against a wall while he gently kissed me and we connected in so many more ways that I’d imagined!! It was magical and it felt extremely exotic and I wished that moment would not end, as he looked at me with his beautiful eyes and held me, it felt so welcoming and it was as though I was the star in something I’d always watched.

We had a drive ahead of us before we’d arrive at his home and I was okay with that for he and we needed more time to get comfortable with each other. Even though we’d never sat next to one another, it wasn’t nerve racking, it was more comfortable then I’d figured it would be. He was real, that’s all that matter at this point, I just wanted to know more and learn all that I could while I was near him.

We stopped off at the grocery store, where we shared another kiss and then, being his playful self, threw me over his shoulder and carried me into the store, all the while both of us laughing. We walked around the store, hand in hand, and then I began to realize that I had no idea what to get to eat, for I was at a loss. Whatever was happening, I didn’t want it to end.

As I walked into his home, it was as though I’d walked into my own home. It was a comfort that I only felt when I would walk into the homes of those that are extremely close me, including my own. It was as though I’d been there before and knew that no matter what happened, I would be safe and welcomed.

We had a wonderful evening, chatting until the later part of the next morning (I was wondering why he had picked out one red rose among all the other roses in the bouquet, he shared that the red one was for ‘hope’). We were connecting on so many more levels. We found ourselves interested in so many more categories and intertwining a closer relationship then I’d experienced in years.

I ended up falling asleep in his arms, then I rolled over and I was able to listen to him sleep. I watched him as he rested and it was so calming and serene, I wished I didn’t need sleep myself so that I didn’t have to let these moment slip away.

As I woke the next morning, of course it had only been a few hours later, I knew that he’d wanted to get up to take me to see things in the area. I woke him, a little later then he’d wished (he needed rest, I’m a high energy person, I thought to myself).

He had an appointment that he had to get to, so I was able to get myself ready for the day, the best I could with what I had brought.

He took me to his favorite breakfast spot, where we shared more experiences and he shared his food with me, making sure that I didn’t miss anything. Then, as we were finishing up, he pulled my chair closer to his and told me to kiss him. (What a GREAT dessert!!)

We proceeded to the next location, which was a beautiful and serene area. Nothing but God’s land and the simple beauty that it entailed. He then had me follow him to a ‘cave’ area and we spent some time there, connecting even more and then he decided that he wanted to carve our initials in the limestone that surrounded us. He had me choose a rock and he chose one himself and asked me to choose one with him, then he put the one we chose together and the one he chose on top of each other and then he asked me to place mine on top of these, he called it our ‘foundation’. He wanted me to remember it and to never forget the moments that we shared, being our ‘firsts’. As I sat there and watched him, listened to the noises and his voice, I was in shock and awe and felt the serenity of the location and situation upon me, hoping only for more moments like these.

We sat for a little while, then the time was slipping away so we decided to move onto the next adventure. He took me to a place with some history and wanted me to experience the area as well as what it all had enclosed in it. He wanted to share with me where his daughter and him were the week before and show him what they were able to accomplish together. He wanted to make sure that we took pictures to remember our ‘first’ time together and the places we went.

Later that night, we spoke of when we would meet again and spend time, for we are over 900 miles apart in our homes. We made sure that we didn’t let the moment slip away from us, we snuggled on the couch and began to realize that we both needed sleep prior to the drive the next morning to the airport.

When we woke, we both prepared for the next few hours together. I took a moment to step into the kitchen and stared out the window, for a moment, tears came into my eyes. For I knew that I had to leave, yet I didn’t understand how I found someone that was so unbelievably loving,  caring, fun and all that I’d ever wanted. I was tearing up from gratitude that I was able to find a man that had such a soul and was interested in sharing it with me. I wanted nothing more than to head out on another adventure with him, yet I knew I had to go home to my babies.

 I wanted to take some of the rose’s home with me, for he’d picked them out and I didn’t want to leave them all behind. He chose two of them, one red and one reddish orange. He wrapped them in a wet paper towel and I watched him, he placed the paper towel around them so carefully and gently, his hands working on something with so much love, I knew that I’d found someone that would make a huge impact in my life if I’d allow him to do so.

As we drove to the airport the next morning, we both tried to avoid the inevitable. Getting into some discussions about our opinions on different subjects, yet sharing with each other that that’s exactly what we were both doing.

We arrived at the airport and both of us knew that we’d see each other again, so we said our goodbyes with kisses and hugs. All the while, he assured me that we’d soon be back in each other’s arms.

As I walked through the airport, I realized that I just encountered one of the best experiences that I’d known in years. I realized, as the tears welled up, that what I just experienced is what I usually watched in movies, not in my life. I realized that the man that I met was exactly who he’d proclaimed through our previous conversations and that I couldn’t wait to learn more and spend more time with him.

He called me as I was grabbing a water and some goodies for on the flight, for he wanted me to know that he was thinking of me and that he wanted to know when I was boarded and on the plane. I thought to myself “Where did this man come from!??! What is happening to me!!??!!”

As I boarded the plane, I was ready for sleep, for I was extremely tired. I rested, remembering his arms around me and the warmth and comfort I felt, knowing that when I land I had to deal with the life that I had back home, yet also hoping that what I just encountered was only the beginning of something magical and that it will only become more of a lifestyle then a dream.

That night, I’d spoke to him several times as well slipped on his T-Shirt that he’d given me to bring home to feel close to him, it was time to retire from an experience of a life time.

I drifted off to the feeling of him holding me…. Dreaming until the next time I’m able to feel his arms around me.

Here’s to more HOPE……