This is lovely, Elizabeth. I love the picture. "Mid-love blur" reminds me of my own period of falling in love. We were lucky enough to get a picture, too. The period is special. So many people commented on the vibe that Jennifer and I were sending off, just walking down the street together, or sitting side-by-side on the couch at the coffee shop. We weren't kids, we weren't all over each other, but people would still comment, "Aw, you two look great together." People still comment 19 years later!
Since I've known you forever and feels like I've known Jim about the same amount of time, I have nothing really to add to your beautiful story except how happy I was and am to be a part of that schooner story... I believe you are correct, though.... Relationships really do bloom when the soul is ready to burst forth with mature happiness... Personally I think you both were on that edge... So happy to have been part of your wedding day and watched the happiness unite... I must admit I have laughed the last 15 minutes thinking about Jim using the age-old excuse of a used volvo part in order to find whether you were home or not.... That did not disappoint me Jim... It just showed even the charming Prince can be clutsy at times... I love it!
Not surprisingly, my story is different (hello, different people!), but the learning was the same. And, isn't that a wonderful feeling? Of loving and caring about yourself enough to want to connect with others just because they are people too?
I didn't have any sort of long term relationship at all (dated a few men a few times, but nothing lasting); indeed, I was single, doing fulfilling work, and yet lonely. That was as much from not having many friends as it was from being single. But, I was -- most of the time -- happy with what life was about.
I met my now-husband singing in a community choir. I tell people that I married him for his lovely, deep bass voice. That's partly true, but also because we spent time being friends and getting to know one another and delight in the resonance of connection. It took three years of dating (and me moving around for my job) before we married at age 44 and 43. But, yes, I had come to that place of knowing and loving myself. (Not that I couldn't have made a good connection and relationship earlier; it just happened when it happened because of circumstance).
"Coupledom doesn't make us whole. We are not missing pieces" jumped out at me! So many young women, even today, feel that way. May I suggest coupledom is the frame around a puzzle already (or well into being) completed?
In the brief interactions I've had with your Jim at his shop, I think you did find a prize worth keeping!
“That version of me wasn’t waiting for a soulmate or trying to fill a void. She had learned that the most meaningful connections don’t begin in the search for completion. They begin when you already know who you are.” - amen sister!
I married late in life, having done most all the things I wanted to do, by myself. A psychic friend told me I had to leave the state I was living in (and loved devotedly, having lived many places around the U.S.), that if I wanted to find my soul mate, I'd have to leave and trust my guidance to tell me where to go. I gave up job, home, current relationship (which was on the way out anyway and ended in loving friendship) and friends, got rid of everything, bought a motorhome and hit the road with an "Okay, where to?" question.
It all came together: I ended up where I was supposed to be, had a dream of seeing my soul mate walking down the street on opposite sidewalks, and then got an online message from the dating service we both registered to. I was going to delete that message when Guidance said don't. I agreed to meet for lunch, future spouse got out of the truck — and there was my soul mate from the dream! We've been together ever since.
I love every single one of your words almost as much as I love the two of you.
'That version of me wasn’t waiting for a soulmate or trying to fill a void. She had learned that the most meaningful connections don’t begin in the search for completion. They begin when you already know who you are.' This is so powerful - I want to send it to every young person I know.
'temporary alchemy of lust, salt air, whales and sea shanties' - and this right here? I'll be sprinkling it into every conversation I can. You've been warned.
thank you for your words and thank you for sharing your story.
My husband and I have been married 46 years. I believe in the last 10 years I have finally learned to be my own person. I am so glad I hung in there through the ups and downs. I was very lucky to find a good guy. We are loving life and each other and feel blessed everyday. Thank you for sharing your wonderful story.
Definitely a good and romantic story! I'm glad you knew who you were and also had/have a romance that has lasted all these years. It sounds a bit like magic, but I imagine there is some work involved, too. Happy anniversary to you both.
This is lovely, Elizabeth. I love the picture. "Mid-love blur" reminds me of my own period of falling in love. We were lucky enough to get a picture, too. The period is special. So many people commented on the vibe that Jennifer and I were sending off, just walking down the street together, or sitting side-by-side on the couch at the coffee shop. We weren't kids, we weren't all over each other, but people would still comment, "Aw, you two look great together." People still comment 19 years later!
Lovely, Elizabeth. And true. I had to smile at Jim's gift for reading a map. Who can do that in the days of navigating by smartphone?
Since I've known you forever and feels like I've known Jim about the same amount of time, I have nothing really to add to your beautiful story except how happy I was and am to be a part of that schooner story... I believe you are correct, though.... Relationships really do bloom when the soul is ready to burst forth with mature happiness... Personally I think you both were on that edge... So happy to have been part of your wedding day and watched the happiness unite... I must admit I have laughed the last 15 minutes thinking about Jim using the age-old excuse of a used volvo part in order to find whether you were home or not.... That did not disappoint me Jim... It just showed even the charming Prince can be clutsy at times... I love it!
Not surprisingly, my story is different (hello, different people!), but the learning was the same. And, isn't that a wonderful feeling? Of loving and caring about yourself enough to want to connect with others just because they are people too?
I didn't have any sort of long term relationship at all (dated a few men a few times, but nothing lasting); indeed, I was single, doing fulfilling work, and yet lonely. That was as much from not having many friends as it was from being single. But, I was -- most of the time -- happy with what life was about.
I met my now-husband singing in a community choir. I tell people that I married him for his lovely, deep bass voice. That's partly true, but also because we spent time being friends and getting to know one another and delight in the resonance of connection. It took three years of dating (and me moving around for my job) before we married at age 44 and 43. But, yes, I had come to that place of knowing and loving myself. (Not that I couldn't have made a good connection and relationship earlier; it just happened when it happened because of circumstance).
"Coupledom doesn't make us whole. We are not missing pieces" jumped out at me! So many young women, even today, feel that way. May I suggest coupledom is the frame around a puzzle already (or well into being) completed?
In the brief interactions I've had with your Jim at his shop, I think you did find a prize worth keeping!
“That version of me wasn’t waiting for a soulmate or trying to fill a void. She had learned that the most meaningful connections don’t begin in the search for completion. They begin when you already know who you are.” - amen sister!
I married late in life, having done most all the things I wanted to do, by myself. A psychic friend told me I had to leave the state I was living in (and loved devotedly, having lived many places around the U.S.), that if I wanted to find my soul mate, I'd have to leave and trust my guidance to tell me where to go. I gave up job, home, current relationship (which was on the way out anyway and ended in loving friendship) and friends, got rid of everything, bought a motorhome and hit the road with an "Okay, where to?" question.
It all came together: I ended up where I was supposed to be, had a dream of seeing my soul mate walking down the street on opposite sidewalks, and then got an online message from the dating service we both registered to. I was going to delete that message when Guidance said don't. I agreed to meet for lunch, future spouse got out of the truck — and there was my soul mate from the dream! We've been together ever since.
Thanks for sharing, Elizabeth!
I love every single one of your words almost as much as I love the two of you.
'That version of me wasn’t waiting for a soulmate or trying to fill a void. She had learned that the most meaningful connections don’t begin in the search for completion. They begin when you already know who you are.' This is so powerful - I want to send it to every young person I know.
'temporary alchemy of lust, salt air, whales and sea shanties' - and this right here? I'll be sprinkling it into every conversation I can. You've been warned.
thank you for your words and thank you for sharing your story.
395607
Love the story!
My husband and I have been married 46 years. I believe in the last 10 years I have finally learned to be my own person. I am so glad I hung in there through the ups and downs. I was very lucky to find a good guy. We are loving life and each other and feel blessed everyday. Thank you for sharing your wonderful story.
Smart guy!
Definitely a good and romantic story! I'm glad you knew who you were and also had/have a romance that has lasted all these years. It sounds a bit like magic, but I imagine there is some work involved, too. Happy anniversary to you both.