A Sneak Peak Into the Future

So this weekend, I got a glimpse of what life is going to be like in just 3 months.  B decided to make a trip down South to take care of a few items in preparation of his permanent move down here at the end of the summer... which resulted in us getting to spend the weekend together.

Like a normal couple.  Yep,  I said it.  A couple.

It was nice.  We hung out with some of my co-workers at Lonerider brewery on Friday after work. Then had a date night out at Carolina Ale House which ended by enjoying the beautiful Spring evening on my back patio with more beer.  I promise we do more then just drink.  I am just trying my best to teach him that there are much better beers out there then just a Budweiser.

Saturday morning included cinnamon rolls, coffee and B doing homework at my kitchen table.  Well, he sat at the table, I sat outside on the patio enjoying the morning sun.

Hobbes was trying to help figure out the Algebra.  But decided to give up.

Then of course lunch was at Chick-fil-a.  I still can't believe that there aren't any in Detroit.

Saturday afternoon was filled with watching my small group (aka, Bible Study) leader get married.

So that meant that some of the girls from my small group got to meet B and give him their seal of approval.

And then of course came the tearful good-bye Sunday morning as B left to go back to Michigan.  Stupid Algebra class.  Why do you have to schedule tests on a Monday?

It's okay.  I will get to see him in July.  Yep, you read that correctly.  I have to wait until July before I will get to see him again.   But it will be fun because I am going up there.  I can't think of a better place to spend the July 4th holiday weekend then by meeting his family and getting to know the area that he has called home for so many years.

But I am so thankful that we had a spur of the moment weekend living life together.  One that was full of life, love and lots of laughter.    And I can't wait to see what happens next.

The reason for my smile.......

So a few of you have been asking why I am smiling so much lately. Well, I have decided to let you in on a little secret......

I have a boyfriend.

Checking out the Durham Bulls

Yep.

That's right.  And ladies (and gentleman), I have landed a keeper.  And I mean a keeper for life.

Ironically, it isn't anyone that I met online.   In fact, I met him in September of 2010.   I met him while looking for an apartment while starting my life all over again.  I met him with my mom.  So, yes B has the seal of approval from mom.

And for those of you with good memories..... you are thinking, what?!?!, he looks familiar, I think I have heard this story before.   Well, yes, you are correct.   You have already been introduced to B once before......

So if you need a refresher or a first introduction, here is the link from that post.

And now all of you are wondering..... what happened to the guy that I had met through eHarmony?  What happened to the guy that you went to opening weekend at the Bulls game with and who got the Easter basket?   Well, he faded out of the picture.   Sorry to disappoint those of you who were cheering for him.   I had no intention of letting him fade away, it just happened.

But believe me,  I am so glad that he did.    The whirlwind of a romance that I got caught up in two weeks ago is nothing short of amazing.  So there is a silver lining and a reason for the other guy fading away.

And I am so thankful that a spur of the moment road trip with someone from Michigan turned into falling in love all over again.   Yes, that means I did not go to the beach by myself.

So stay tuned for more details of what's to come.   But I will give you a hint, I really want this summer to go by fast and by fast I mean warp speed.

Until then.......

Happy Mother's Day to My Mommy

15 years ago (wow, it really has been that long), I walked across the football field at Kenan Stadium and graduated from the University North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  It was bright, sunny and beautiful day. 

I remember it, like it was yesterday.   Your college graduation is something that you just don’t forget.   It is a symbol of four years of hard work, dedication, and countless hours of studying, paper writing and research.  I promise I had fun in college too, probably a little too much fun at times, but we won’t talk about those moments.  That’s not what this post is about.  

This post is about what else that day was about.   That day was a special day not just for me but for my mom.  Because not only was it graduation day, it was Mother’s Day.   My mommy told me that it was the best Mother’s Day present that I could ever give her.  I gave her the gift of her daughter being a college graduate.   She told me that it brought tremendous joy to watch me graduate from college that Sunday in May. 

Now I didn’t get to walk across the stage, that just doesn’t happen when you graduate from a large university. But I did walk across the field with my friends and I turned my tassel and celebrated.    I did get to walk across the stage at my departmental ceremony the afternoon before, so don’t worry, I still got “stage time”.    

I spent the weekend celebrating not only with my friends but also with my family.   There were lots of pictures taken.....

Jake, you could have smiled.  

but this one is my favorite.......

I know that my mom was very proud of me on that day and I am sure that she is just as proud of me today. 

The past year has been a journey and a lot of the “firsts without” have come and gone, but that doesn’t make it any easier.   A lot has happened these last few months and in particular this past week (I promise I will fill everyone in soon)  and I have wanted more than anything to talk to my mommy about it.  But I haven’t been able to do that.

I have tried not to focus on the fact that I feel that my mommy is missing out on what is probably the most exciting part of my life.  But, I will admit that it has made me really miss her.  A lot.     

Instead I have tried to focus on the fact that I know that she is still really proud of me.  Not only because what I accomplished 15 years ago, but what I have accomplished since that day.   More importantly what I have accomplished these past 4 years as I have started my life over again as a single women.  It has been an adventure.  One that has been full of ups and downs.   Lots of ups and downs.  And lots of lightness and darkness.  But I see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Well actually, the end of the tunnel is here.  In fact, I am standing in the bright sun light and have the biggest smile on my face. 

And I know that my mommy is looking down at me and smiling right back. 

Happy Mother’s Day, Mommy.  I love and miss you greatly.