The beginning of a long story.

(This is actually the first part of a monstrous entry I wrote on Tuesday, and then took apart so it would be easier to download and read.)

Forest and I had a great conversation about our future plans on Saturday night, that left me feeling really excited about things. School's really expensive (I'm sure you are aware), and we aren't rich. We're okay, but we don't have a lot of extra money just lying around. My company will repay half of my tuition, but only if I get a 2.5 or higher, and only if they preapprove my classes as being work-related. I've been assured that most things in one way or another, can be passed off as 'related' to my job. I can't count on it too hard, though. Anyway, I had been hoping that we could both start school in spring, and thought we had agreed to; but when I mentioned it on Saturday, Forest disagreed.

At first I was afraid I'd done something terribly wrong, and felt guilty about plunging ahead with my schooling when he has wanted to go for so long, and hasn't been able to do so. I immediately professed my concerns, and he quickly put them to rest. Forest's dad asked him if he'd run the Store starting in March. That means a good raise for him, but it also means extra responsibilities, especially before official opening day. He will need to build a new crew of employees in March and April, and won't be able to get away to attend class.

I wrung my hands in despair that he might NEVER be able to get out of there to go to class; but then he pointed out that he plans to have things running smoothly, and be able to start his classes in mid-summer, then continue in the fall. The extra hourly pay at the Store will make that affordable.

I'm very happy about that. I just didn't want Forest to be stuck in the backseat, waiting for me to finish school so he could afford to go. Logically, I ought to be the one who doesn't go to school, since my job is already really cool. I'm happy enough here. Forest, on the other hand, really doesn't like what he's doing with his life, and wants a change. If it came right down to it, I would gladly drop school so he could go.

After all, the only reason I'm persuing it right now is that it sort of 'feels right'. I'm a big believer in following my own intuitions; but I'm certainly not going to sink my honey's future on such a whim. I lamely pointed out to him that I didn't want to go to school without him, because I didn't want to be always left at home with my books while he was off having fun. I didn't want to spend that much time away from him. He smiled, kissed me, and assured me that he would be more than happy to curl up with me (and my books) until my studying self was satisfied. I couldn't be more pleased. I've never had that type of support before. Gosh I love that man. He has been slowly returning every one of my dreams for myself into a reality. I hope I can do the same for him!

Friday I ended up home, sniffling and sneezing and babying the world's most monstrous head cold imaginable. It really sucked, and it left me very tired, but unable to sleep. Forest and I both hid in the house until we couldn't take it anymore, and late in the evening we went out to see Meet the Parents in hopes it would cheer us up. It was, indeed, very funny, and we somehow managed to run into Darcy, Josh, and Angie there, too. That was really nice.

We ended up going home in much better spirits, and heading to bed before too long, since we knew a day of long travels and travails was upon us.

Saturday we drove to Chicago, leaving home at 8:30 AM, and arriving there at nearly noon. We actually enjoyed the drive despite our disappointment that we wouldn't be able to stay. It was a beautiful fall day, and there wasn't much traffic. We listened to music, enjoyed each other's comany, and chatted most of the way. We were there to help Wayne move some furniture from his old place downtown to his new one in Oak Park. It doesn't seem like it's far, but it turns out that it takes an hour because of traffic; so we ended up running late going back to Lansing. I didn't have any great plans or anything, but Forest was planning on an evening out with his brother and friends, and was an hour and a half late for that. I felt somewhat sorry for him about that, but it couldn't be helped.

Still, it was a nice sweetest day. We didn't get each other gifts this year, but rather we spent 8 hours in each other's uninterrupted company. That was nice, in its own way.

Still cold-ridden and unable to sleep, I ended up staying up until well after Forest came home. In fact, Laura says she almost stopped by when she drove by at 3 AM and saw all our lights were still on. It's interesting living just off the highway sometimes. Everyone notices our comings and goings. At least we don't need to be worried about being robbed. There would be hundreds of witnesses.