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It has been unorthodox from the start. We met on a dating site; she lived in Hawaii and I lived in Alaska. But, we would meet in Kandahar, Afghanistan of all places. I told her it was not love at first sight, but the truth is she won me over with that first smile and her narration of a dream she had jumping a Fast and Furious car off an overpass. Who wouldn’t fall for that combo? We had a month long, whirlwind secret romance. So hard not to show my affection for her in public… torture not to be able to hold her in my arms at night…. How happy for her I was when it was her time to go home… how devastated I was to see her go. A 10 point plan, for our life together, made on the phone while she was in Germany has become our preamble for what has yet to come. I count the moons, I count the days, I count the seconds until I see her again yet she continues to inspire me from afar. I have never met a more beautiful person and I am blessed to have her in my life. I love you Danielle and I can’t wait to shout that from a mountain top, whisper it in your ear, carve it in a tree (close enough) … but maybe most of all, the things I could not do here, hold your hand while we walk on the beach with Jackson, hold you in my arms while we watch the sunset and beat you in rummy for the first time…. 72 days and counting. Matt
UPDATE: The whirlwind romance continues!!! A life changing decision to leave Afghanistan and be with the love of my life.... Proposed because the ring was burning a hole in my pocket and I couldn't wait any longer to officially let her know my intentions... wait for it... yes!!! she accepted my proposal!!! One of the happiest days of my life. Next - impulse decision to get married out of necessity and plan something special for us and our families at a later date. This was not ideal, but we would still have our fairytale.... Isn't it funny how life interferes with your plans :( so ---- married at the court house, packed up all her stuff in Hawaii, rented my house in Alaska, visited her family in Minnesota, on a plane to Portugal... all of this within the first 3-4 months together. All of this has been a struggle for us and continues to be as we acclimate to Portugal and learn how live with each other and be husband and wife at the same time. We have had more challenges than cherished moments and each of us have questioned if we have done the right thing. How did we get here? How did two people that loved each other so completely, all of a sudden question each others commitment? Because we are scared. Because we have been selfish. Because we stopped trying for each other. Because we lost site of why we fell in love in the first place...
Because...
...you completed me
...you inspire me
...of your willingness to share everything and most especially your heart with me
...you make me want you even when you are not trying
...you warm my heart when you put a blanket on Jackson
...you made me feel that even though we may be miles apart I still feel like you are right there with me
...you are my soul mate
...your spontaneity inspires me
...you light up my heart with your smile
...your tenderness inspires me to take care of you
I love the way I saw myself in your eyes
Your hugs made me woozy,
Your kisses were intoxicating.
Just the thought of you,
Made my heart beat like a runaway train.
I love the way I love you - you mean more to me than anything else in the world
I made a commitment to be your friend, lover and husband for the rest of our lives. I want to fight for us. I will not give up. With all my heart I hope you still want to fight for me... and we continue to write this fairytale.
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