The romantic exploits of my single friends rarely fail to intrigue me. My friend Aislinn is in love with a man she’s only met twice in the span of four years. They met on an overseas business trip and at the time, were each living on opposite coasts. She was involved with someone else, and then he was unavailable after that relationship ended for her. In the meantime, they spent hours talking - nearly every day - and developing an unexpected emotional intimacy over the phone. They met up for the second and last time almost two years ago, taking an extended weekend with each other and attempting to determine if anything real existed between them. They had a fabulous time, but dating long distance didn’t work. Before they got to see each other again, fights and jealousy came between them and they stopped talking for nearly a year. Time passed and he found her on myspace (ha…) at the beginning of 2007 - but she had forgotten her password and didn’t log-in and read it until nearly a year later. So NOW, they’re talking again. And as it turns out, he has a job offer and might be moving to her city. So they’re excitedly spending hours on the phone and planning a reunion for Valentine’s Day weekend…
Of course, I’m already convinced that a happy ending is inevitably on it’s way, but who wouldn’t be?
It’s satisfying to watch my friends find love. Some are wistful about family life and seem to wish so much for the blessings of a happy marriage and healthy children. They seek love in plenty of hope for what the future might bring, and when I accompany my friends on the outer rim of their own individual journey with love, I’m reminded to count my blessings.
I realized today, when I was nursing a very sick, overtired toddler (with a snotty nose and congested cough) that I was, in fact, livin’ the dream. It made me happy, even in the midst of Thumbelina’s executive decision to refuse a much-needed nap.
Ahhh, I love moments of grateful contentment.
