Day 143

Dawn and I are splitting up. Going our separate ways. It was inevitable but here we are. 

I first met Dawn the summer of 1987. We worked together at a YMCA camp in northwest Iowa. While we knew each other, we weren't close. We traveled in different circles. Not really giving any thought, we went our separate ways once the last week of summer camp was over. Only to run into each other a couple weeks later on the Iowa State University campus. We both had an early morning physics class so we sat next to each other. We went on a couple dates that fall but it didn't stick for whatever reason. 

Fast forward to a year later and she was now living a couple of blocks from my fraternity house where we happened to bump into each other again. She was walking to her apartment and I was doing who knows what. After some pleasantries she invited me to come to a party at her place that weekend which I did. We both had a good time and started hanging our more frequently eventually becoming a couple. Other than a few bumps in the road, all before we got married, we've been together ever since. Rarely have we been apart for more than a few days. On the few occasions where we have been separated for any length of time, it has been due to my work and travel schedule. Now, just before Mothers Day weekend, we've decided to go in different directions. 

Dawn is going west and I'm going east. We're both going to visit our parents - her mom and dad in Iowa and my mom in North Carolina. (I'm also going to visit my aunt for a couple of days. Also in North Carolina.) Getting out of the house this coming weekend seems like a good idea for both of us. It would be hard to celebrate Mothers Day here at home without Damian. Better to celebrate (quietly) with our moms (and Dawn's dad) instead. I think this will bring some much needed joy to all of them. 

The good news is that our separation will not be that long - only 8 days. (I plan to get back home on next Tuesday and Dawn flies back to ATL next Friday.) We should be able to handle that. I feel more connected to Dawn than I ever have. Something about losing Damian has had the unexpected but very welcome effect of pulling us much closer together.

Love you, Poodle. 


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