I had a wonderful time with my old friend. We chatted and laughed and drank and reminisced until 10:30 (6 hours)!
He really stroked my ego as well. First he told me that I "look exactly the same," and that 12 years of aging did not show (he really hadn't changed a bit either). Later he admitted that he knew about his layover in Atlanta months ago and had in fact ARRANGED it because he had wanted to see me. He said he didn't tell me about it long ago because he didn't want me to feel any "pressure" and felt that waiting until the last minute to let me know he would be here would be easier for me.
I felt very flattered. I had been so nervous about seeing him again, so worried that the effects of 12 years of aging would change his view of me.
It was so strange sitting with him and talking with him after so many years had passed. We both distinctly remembered when we first met. It was our senior year in high school. I was 16. He was 17 and was one of our foreign exchange students for that year. 22 years vanished as we talked and I felt 16 again.
Over the years we have managed to reconnect many times. Every year or two one or the other of us emails the other to say hello and try to catch up, though we haven't actually seen each other in 12 years. "We have a connection," he said, which of course I understand and feel as well. I'm not sure what the connection is or what it means, but it is there nonetheless. It's always been there and always will be.
He never married and has no children. He has just turned 40 and is a founding partner in a successful law firm in Belgium.
I am 38, with two children and I'm 4 years into a happy marriage after a miserable few years of marriage in my past. He knows this and understands that I am committed to my husband for as long as we both shall live. But far in the future when we are both old and gray, if we are both alone in life, he believes that we will be together.
Only time will tell.
Until that time, I am happy to be married to my husband. I adore him and would never leave him or hurt him.
2 comments:
This post gave me goose bumps. Not exactly sure why.
I do not have a Ex, charming Euro-man. (sadly? Luckily?) I just have the one that got away (bullet I dodged!)
Still, a little ego stroking is nice. The thought that you made an indelible mark on some-one's life that strong...
How lucky your husband is!
Sounds like a wonderful afternoon/evening with an old friend!
So glad you got to catch up!
Post a Comment