After a few months of growing and learning of one another, and many times wishing they could be together, He announced He was flying to visit for a week, June of 2001. There was never any doubt in her mind, she was never afraid... she knew it had to happen and she would take whatever risks were needed to see Him. The arrangements were all made, and the days flew by. She never had time to focus on His visit, as she seemed to be in a dream-like state. She bought some clothes, planned, dreamed. Finally the evening came for her to go, and at the time she was to leave, her phone rang. His flight had been delayed and He was spending the night somewhere and wouldn't arrive til the next day. Disappointedly she went to their reserved motel and checked in and waited for His phone call. Just being in what would be their 'home' for a few nights filled her with an anxious impatience, realizing that it was real, it was happening, and she would serve Him well. They spoke on the phone that night of what would come and she was filled with anticipation, thinking just hours away a dream would come true.

Morning managed to come, and she was anxious for the day to get on. She showered, hopped in the car to shop and pick up a few things. First the grocery store; a styrofoam cooler, bottled water, coke, chocolate syrup. Secondly a larger retail store where she went up and down the aisles, looking at things with a different eye, one that might see a different use for a simple thing. She ended up with a shower curtain, candles, odds and ends. Once returned to the room, she showered again, then looking in the mirror she smiled, feeling her chest tighten.

The drive to the airport seemed longer than ever, traffic more than usual... she turned in her Mustang and hurried upstairs only to find on the screen the plane was landing at that moment. She rushed down the concourse and stood off to the side. Most passengers had departed and she searched each face as they passed her, looking for a familiarity in the brief time she'd seen His picture. Finally at the gate, she saw Him emerge. For but a brief moment she hesitated, afraid He would show disappointment but He came to her and wrapping His arm around her they kissed, immediately feeling a teasing pinch below her arm on the side of her breast. The lingering ache lasted as they walked along, His arm still around her. She couldn't remember having anyone hold her publicly for so long, she became honored immediately, and proud to be seen with someone so handsome.

The drive back was *most* memorable for both of them, and they spent an afternoon exploring one another with an urgency that didn't stop until dinnertime. It's funny how the smallest details still make her smile, with just the mention of a word to set her daydreaming.

The next morning they drove to the Washington Coast, and on down to Astoria. The most she recalls about the times in the car is glancing at Him, still amazed it was really happening and that they were together. As the pictures on this page flash, she's reminded of each place they stopped over the next few days and at each step of the way, how so much closer they got to one another.

As the week neared His return home, there were times she lost her thoughts imagining life returning to what it was before His visit, and her mood would drop, looking out the window of the car so He couldn't see her tears. That Saturday He left, she will never forget the pain, the ache, not knowing when they would meet again; she relished each moment left to be with Him, trying to leave Him with a sweet moment. Instead He comforted her with love, drying her tears and holding her.