Over 20 years ago I sat down next to this cute guy I didn’t know during what turned out to be kind of a boring class at Syracuse University. Before long we were passing the time by writing notes back and forth in his spiral notebook. If you ask ME, those notes mostly consisted of him flirting madly with me; if you ask HIM, those notes mostly consisted of me suggesting he break up with his girlfriend and run off to the mountains with me.
(I was a shy, retiring flower, even back then.)
The class ended, but the friendship endured. He moved all over the east coast; I moved to California. I got married; he came to the wedding. I moved back to New England; so did he. I had a baby; he came to my baby shower. My marriage fell apart, he took me out for Chinese food and listened while I cried and maintained a respectful distance.
We didn’t run away to the mountains together until our honeymoon, three years ago.
So I guess no one could accuse us of being particularly speedy, or even of being all that good at figuring out what we wanted. Sometimes I wish it had happened differently, sooner. Other times I’m absolutely certain it never would’ve worked, any earlier, nor would we have everything we needed from our time apart if it had happened any other way.
There’s no clear road map, when it comes to love. You just have to do the best you can, and read the signs when you see them. It has a way of leading you to the right place at the right time, you know?
And that’s why, for our anniversary this year, I knew I’d found the perfect gift for Otto when I came across PaperCutWorks on Etsy. And then I got him this:
It started a long time ago, a long way from here, and I wouldn’t even begin to try to predict where it will take us. But I sure am enjoying the trip.
Happy Love Thursday, everyone. Here’s to finding the map of your own heart and happiness, in whatever time it takes.
I love that! Thanks for sharing part of the journey with us — and happy Love Thursday!
Wow. Just… wow.
So happy for both of you, and wow that’s a meaningful piece of art!
What an awesome gift!
That is the perfect gift. You knocked it out of the park-both the gift and the love. Finding love happens in the strangest places and times, doesn’t it?
Oh that is awesome.
So. True. I used to wish that my husband and I had found each other earlier, but if we had, it probably wouldn’t have worked… we needed to learn certain things from our lives before we could create one together.
Love the gift! Thank you for sharing it (I was wondering what it was, after reading yesterday’s post)!
Not only is that the perfect gift, the town where I live is on there. So that makes me happy for all sorts of reasons! Happy anniversary!
Wow, talk about the perfect gift! I love that. And the leap of faith you took, and how well it has worked, I love that too. And Clinton made the cut!
Brilliant! And hey, had things happened earlier there would be no Monkey and Chickadee for us to cheer on. Perhaps Gator and Zebra, who would no doubt be quite lovely, but we really really like Monkey and Chickadee.
Ooooh, is this what was waiting for him at the computer after the fight and the smiley faced presents? It’s very cool. Happy Anniversary.
Congrats! And hey! I’m on that map. lol
Mir, what a beautiful post! My husband & I are also celebrating our togetherness this weekend (3 years!) & I made a special gift for him :-) So happy to see that you both love the paper cut heart I made for you. Thank you!
Awesome gift! And my town is on there, too. :)
I still get goosebumps and heartswells every time I hear your story. Happy Anniversary, and happy Love Thursday!
I love this post, Mir. Awesome gift…
Happy anniversary – and congratulations on realizing the joy is in the journey!
Awwwww. Did he cry?
Awesome squared, then cubed. Happy Anniversary!
Can’t even tell you how refreshing it was to read this, when people have a million and one ideas how a relationship is supposed to happen and at what pace.
Thanks for sharing, and happy anniversary!!
What an totally unique and awesome gift! I, too, love hearing your story :).
Happy Love Thursday!
Congrats on finally getting to the moutains! Isn’t it nice to know you’re where you’re supposed to be? And that gift is awesome! May I copy you for my anniversary? My husband is a sentimental, hard-to-buy-for cartographer. Map heart=perfection
Happy anniversary!
Happy anniversary! :)
that is an awesome gift!!
What a cool gift! but I totally think your re-design of the blog blows it out of the water.
Fantastic! I LOVE it.
That’s beautiful, Mir. It seems perfect. :)
Love your new site design.
Congratulations to you both!
Beautiful post. Also, I love the new site design! It’s so clean and pretty!!
I love that you took us along on the trip with you and listened when we told you to jump for it. Happy anniversary you two, you’ve been fun to watch.
That is awesome.
Happy anniversary, great gift & great new design. I’m on the map too!
How sweet is that! See, Mir, you aren’t such a jerk after all! Happy Anniversary to ya’ll!!!!
I know I should be prepared but I’m never ready for the tears that come to my eyes reading your posts!
First of all, that is a VERY cool gift. Second of all, I didn’t realize how similar our life stories are. I grew up 30 miles north of Syracuse in Oswego, had to go to VA to meet my hubby, but then we moved to CA for a year and a half and now we are in New England (RI). I WILL NOT, however, follow you to the south because 1) my in-laws live there and 2) it is TOO HOT in the summers. VA summers were killer enough, but I cannot imagine GA summers! So without realizing it, I am stalking you…but only because you are cool and have curly hair too ;-)