This morning, as I was about to get out of bed, thinking that Scout had to be let out, Don teasingly said to me, “You just want to get to your blog. Why don’t you ever write about me? About what a good guy I am…” I retorted that he’s been the subject matter of many blog posts, more than enough, thank you very much.
I mean, really!
But here’s the truth: he is everything to me. He is simply the best man I’ve ever known.
Here’s a recipe for you. Take a woman who has avoided any sort of commitment, who is happily single and sure she will remain so, but has recently gone through a change and is thinking that she might want to break her previous patterns of behavior and let someone in her life. Add a man who has unexpectedly been offered a job at a theater and finds himself back in his hometown of San Diego. He’s been married before and he doesn’t know if he’ll ever find what he’s looking for in a relationship, but he’s ready to try.
Two bruised and damaged people (aren’t we all?) meet. They are wildly attracted to each other but they both have issues. And one of the first major conversations they have is about wanting to change those patterns I spoke of earlier. They are honest with each other from the start. No bull. No games. Just honest.
At every point where she would normally find an excuse to flee, he says something that knocks her for a loop. He is performing in a play that also features her students. She doesn’t want her students to know she’s seeing him, she wants that to remain private and she worries about it. These are all worries going on in her head, she has yet to bring the subject up to this man. She doesn’t have to. He brings it up. He says he wants her to know that he would never infringe on her relationship with her students, that he will never talk to them about her until she is ready. How did he know that?
He seems to anticipate her needs. He almost seems to know what she’s thinking, deep within the most neurotic and frightened part of her. He continually surprises her.
The woman is still wary. As an adult child of an alcoholic, commitment is hard for her, almost impossible. At the end of that summer, the guy has to leave town to do another play in Arizona. She is secretly relieved because she can get back to her normal life, her predictable and seemingly safe life. They say goodbye.
About 5 days later, he calls her from a pay phone on the road (no cell phones then) and she is surprised by how much she has missed talking to him. Of all things, she misses him. She tells him so.
Her teaching and coaching commitments continue. But a strange thing happens. Every Monday night, which is the traditional actor’s day off, he calls her. And they talk for hours. They talk about everything. A curious thing happens as the result of these phone calls. They get to know each other more deeply. The physical attraction which has always been there is now being matched by a deepening ‘knowing.’ Being physically separated forces them to get to know each other without any other distractions. No Skype then. Just a voice over the landline. Just words and inflections and thoughts and sharing.
She finds herself doing the very thing she thought she wouldn’t do. She visits him in Arizona for a weekend. And then, she finds herself looking forward to his return to San Diego that November.
She has changed. So has he.
On her birthday in November, he tells her he loves her. She is moved and a little panicked. She can’t quite bring herself to say those words yet.
Within a month, she says them out loud. To him.
And eventually, this woman finds herself wanting to marry him, hoping he’ll ask her. She can’t imagine life without him.
Who would have thought?
There you go, Don. This post is about you, my love.
Happy Monday.
Good Morning Claudia, A beautiful love story! You are meant to be together. Doris
We are, Doris.
Claudia, that is one of the most beautiful posts I’ve read. What a great story!
Thank you, my friend.
Even though you wrote this for Don, it spoke to me. It gives me hope that maybe, for me one day…
Beautiful post. Don should be very pleased. Bless you both for sharing your personal love story with us.
~ Cassandra
Yes for you, Cassandra. Keep your heart open, my friend.
What a wonderful love story the two of you have. You are both so blessed to have found each other. And tell Don that we know him almost as well as you from your blog! :)
I will let him know, Linda!
Claudia… I am in tears. What a wonderful tribute to your love for Don and his for you. Thank you for sharing this. I truly loved every word. Well done, my friend, both with the piece and falling in love with Don. Oh, and Happy Birthday if somehow I have missed it!
xoxoxoxo
You haven’t missed it, Sheila. It’s November 21st.
So romantic. Loved reading your story. Now, how about another video of you two dancing in the kitchen. THAT was really fun. Hugs
Hopefully, someday. It has to be spontaneous, you know!
What an awsome post!
Thank you, Teresa.
Wonderful post! I enjoy a love story. Yours brought tears to my eyes. Give your precious husband a hug from middle TN. Sending you hugs and sunshine!
I’ll give him a big hug, Carol!
Awww, how very sweet! I’m so happy for both of you! May your love and appreciation of one another last a lifetime and beyond.
Thank you, Carolyn.
What a beautiful love story! I smiled the entire way through it. Think I’ll read it again.
Happy to make you smile today, Tana!
This post is one of the reasons I love your blog so much. You really share things with us and every time I read it I feel like I know you more. What a beautiful compliment to your husband that he’s the best man you know. Having grown up as the child of a couple who dearly loved one another but were 23 years apart in age I was witness to a lot of argueing and loud voices. I had no desire to get married until I met Carl. We dated less than 3 months later and for almost 40 years he has been “the other half of me”. I truly believe some couples were meant to be together. Beautiful post!
I was so afraid of not being in control, which is an issue with Adult Children of Alcoholics. I didn’t want anyone to break through those carefully constructed walls. Thank goodness, I let him in. I love your story, Janie. Blessings to you and Carl and such a long and beautiful relationship.
What a beautiful post . About love. Ii have only heard one story as moving and it involved my daughter and son in law. Stories like this make me happy. And sad for myself.
I really like your blog, it is so honest. I wish we lived close so I could invite you for coffee to tea.
I wish you every happiness, Charlotte. And I’d love to come over for a cup of coffee!
Great post, Claudia!! I loved it!! Thanks for sharing your sweet love story with us..it is a testament to the power of real love… Have a good day!! Francine
Thank you so much, sweet Francine!
So glad you found each other-what a love story!! Here’s wishing you many, many more years together!!
I love a good love story, Sue!
I love a good love story…with a happy ending! How fortunate you both are to have found each other. It’s KISMET!! ;)
Kismet. What a beautiful word, Donna!
Sometimes when we aren’t looking something wonderful comes our way. Love your story!
That’s what I always tell my friends. Don’t try so hard, relax, and you never know what might come your way!
Sweet.
Thanks, Sandra!
Favorite. Post.. EVER. Even better than a Scoutie post – and for me that’s saying something. I know you know this but Claudia, you are one of the lucky ones. You are truly with your soulmate. Not just a good match, or a great match. Your soulmate, pure and simple. Many many years of health & happiness. :>)
I am very lucky indeed and there is not a day that goes by that I don’t thank God for Don coming into my life.
Lovely story. Thank you for sharing. This made my Monday brighter.
Hugs, Lisa
You are most welcome, dear Lisa.
What a BEAUTIFUL love story! Your honesty is what makes your blog my favorite. Like someone said before me, I wish we lived closer so we could sit and chat over a cup of coffee or tea. I hope you and Don have many, many more years of love and happiness together. Have a wonderful day!
I would so love to chat with you, Cathy! Maybe some day!
Wonderful post! I think it is much more about “Claudia” than Don. Not only did he captivate you, he opened your heart. And what a great birthday present!
XO,
Jane
I know! Hearing those words on my birthday was pretty special.
What a wonderful moving tribute to your sweet husband.
Thank you, Carol Ann!
I love this post. I might just write one like it about my husband, if that’s OK!
Go for it, Paula!
I love hearing stories of how people met..Thank you for sharing yours..And Don..I believe we ladies already knew what a great guy you are from all of the things Claudia has told us..Hugs to both of you!
All of this may go to Don’s head!
That is fine..lol..he deserves it!!
I am so moved by your and Don’s story. Isn’t it wonderful that grownups can fall in love, for all the right reasons? To me, this story beats most of the ones Hollywood comes up with. A great post, Claudiia, of a very good relationship between two people who knew exactly what their commitment issues were but decided it was well worth the risk.
Thank you so much, Dewena.
Wonderful story.. I am so happy for you both.
Thank you, Claudia.
A beautiful love story to take the chill off of a cold and snowy morning. The snow isn’t “sticking”, but we know that the 2 of you are!! :-)
We have some of that same stuff headed our way, Chris!
Such a beautiful post Claudia. Don has always sounded like such a wonderful man, but the new tidbits revealed here put him right into the stratosphere of awesomeness! You surely found a gem when you found Don. And he didn’t do so bad himself when he found you! :)
He is a gem, Debbie.
claudia as usual your words speak to my soul… )
i too have a wonderful husband and i think all of us forget to remind those we love.. that we appreciate and love them for all they do every day for us..
i love your ramblings.. that is what blogging should be…. like talking to friends…. stuff just popping out of your fingers(mouth) lol
im glad that you three are snug and healthy and happy… as it should be..
and i wanted to thank you for telling us about Louise Penny i read one of her books.. and now hoping that the library will have some of the others.. (i was able to get it from my kindle through the library here in pa )
have a wonderful week … sending big ladybug hugs
lynn
I’m so happy to hear you’re enjoying Louise Penny’s books. I don’t know when I’ve felt this strongly about an author, Lynn.
Such a beautiful love story. So much fun to hear these wonderful stories!
Thanks, Annette!
Great post Claudia, Don should be quite happy:)
I think he is, Dawn!
Thank you so much for sharing your story claudia (and for sharing a little bit of “Don” with all of us-I think he may be the object of a few crushes :) Definitely two souls meant to be together…what a lovely story of the right hearts finding each other.
He will love that he might be the object of a few crushes, Mare!!
What a cool guy for a great girl to make up a beautiful story! I can’t wait to see his movie! I’m sure you have posted when that will be on, and you probably will again.
We think it’s going to be on PBS on January 7th, Melanie. More info will be coming
See…another day, another smile! Hope that made Don smile too!
It did, Barbara!
Don- rest assured Claudia has talked to us about you many times. We have grown to know what a great guy you are and how well suited you two are. It is a wonderful love and life story you two have going.
I know Don will read all these comments, Sue. And he’ll be smiling.
What a beautiful love story!
Thank you, Melanie.
Such a lovely story of how you two met. Don sounds like a man with true depth and insight. How lucky you were to find each other!
Very lucky indeed!
I think your story should be a movie. I’m sitting here with a box of Kleenex. Thank you so much for sharing your story and for sharing hope.
There is always hope, Sandra.
Now we need to see that picture of you two on the beach! It is a favorite of mine. Where do you have that in your house?
It’s in the den, on top of the music cabinet.
And he is a wonderful, caring BIL and uncle. Lets not forget that!
Hugs,
Mere
He sure is. xo
Be careful what you ask for, Don!
Wouldn’t this make a terrific play? (YES).
I believe you’re right, Hope!
That was a very sweet tribute to Don…and I know you have written about him before…..maybe not quite like that :)
Wow Claudia! Wow a beautiful love story. That’s what I love about reading your blog. You share so much of your life here and most of it deeply resonates with your readers (at least it does with me) I can relate to your thoughts about commitment having come from an alcoholic family. Both me and my husband were wounded when we met but deeply commited to changing the aspects about ourselves that needed work. We’re all a work in progress. It’s wonderful to share the journey with a deeply commited relationship. I’m sure Don is very pleased with your post about the beginning of your life together. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Nothing is by chance….timing IS everything!!!!!…..God knew it would happen….a perfect fit….just at the right time!!!
Addie