When you find your “one” you know it beyond a shadow of a doubt.  Even though you know it, this is where the real work begins.

Our love story wasn’t completely magical from the beginning.  I knew for certain, but the Yeti needed a little convincing.

It had been twenty years since we’d seen each other, and even though he was searching for a partner, he didn’t realize that partner was going to be me, for the rest of his life.    A relationship with me seemed impractical, being long distance with 333 km between us.

Kilometers and kids.  We each had two children we were raising, and naturally, this was our priority.  How could we juggle our work, home life, kids and maintain a long distance relationship?

I knew that the golden thread of love that connected us in the past still existed.  The magic happened the first time I looked into his eyes for the second time, and it was clear that he felt it too.

That meeting was so beautifully awkward.  After we talked for some time, I asked “well, what do you think?”.  His response sealed the deal as he replied “I want to kiss you”.

Our love from years ago was intact, and with true love, and considerable effort, nothing is impossible!  We made the decision that we were willing to try to make this work.  The Yeti and I were kind, considerate, respectful and patient with each other. Our desire to overcome challenges and excellent communication was our key to success.

We made a promise to each other early on in our relationship, that each time we were together, we would leave each other’s world better than we found it.  Over the years, with each visit back and forth between our homes, improvements were made and the promise was fulfilled.  Whether a small act of service or completing an unpleasant chore, we always left each other’s world better than we found it.   I still smile and think of him when I use my kitchen faucet or smoothly open and close my back door.

As our relationship blossomed, in many ways we found togetherness while we were apart. We called each other three times a day, everyday.  Once when he was on his way to work in the morning, once on the way home and again at bed time.  We often joked that we probably spoke to each other more than couples who lived under the same roof!

Technology was our friend. We utilized Facetime, Messenger, picture messaging, audio messenger, texting and email.  The blessing is, our relationship was fully documented.  How great it is to look at these messages and be reminded of our great love.

We loved with intent.  Love wasn’t just a word that we used to express our affections, it was love in action.  I was so blessed to have a man who loved with intent.  He would say to me that he was a lucky guy, but I felt like I was the lucky one. It was so beautiful, how we enhanced each others lives with intentional love, every day of our nearly ten years together.

Twenty years after our first date, we found each other again.  With trepidation and trust we embarked on a journey that would be the happiest time of our lives.

“It didn’t happen in an instant, it didn’t happen overnight…. it grew over months and months until the time was right, and then it happened, unexpectedly”.