Stories from an Empty Nester

I wonder where life is taking me sometimes. I can look back and see where I have been and know where I am at this moment. I never would have guessed in a gazillion years that I would have had another child at this place in my life. But here I am and I am thrillled. As I feel him moving here and there, up and down and sometimes like he is doing back flips...my love for him deepens as it did with my other children. Life growing beneath my heart, still astounds and amazes me as much as it did over 21 years ago.

Still, my life is not picture perfect, though at times I have thought it to be so. I know that life is truly never perfect and it can bite you in the ass even at your happiest of times. I feel complete, moreso than ever. I have a wonderful man in my life, though he is not perfect, is a wonderful match for me. We do complete each other and make each other laugh until our sides ache at times. But like every couple, we have our moments of disagreements, discontent and maybe even a touch of suffocation at times when we are together too much. Every couple needs their own space to stretch a bit. I would not trade him for the world.

Last year we began to date and I felt like a teenager again. The tender moment of our first real kiss, the moment we told each other we loved one another and the quiet times just sitting together. Which, he will tell you were never really quiet, I inherited my father's gift of gab and story stringing. It's not that I like to hear myself talk, it is that I love to tell stories of days gone by, the people who left me all too soon, my children's accomplishments, etc. Lucky for me this did not scare him off, he loves when I "tell stories". I love watching his face as he listens, and the curling of his lips as he smiles, the laughter in his eyes and the body language he gives off during it all.  So, it seems we found something and though it may not be magical in every since of the word, it is enchanting to say the least.

But with every enchanting story, there is an evil twist that lies within. We have ours, and we are dealing with it. I won't reveal it on here, but I know that there is a poisoned apple trying to put our love to rest. It won't work. Yes, I am in love with a Prince Charming...but I am no sleeping beauty nor a princess in tattered clothes sweeping chimneys. I am a strong woman and I will champion myself at my Prince's side. I love him dearly. I know he loves me, too. I didn't need the ring on my finger to remind me of that. It doesn't hurt to have that ring...I just know in my heart he loves me. No jewel or paper needed to make mebelieve in him more than I already do.

No, I truly do not know where this path is taking me, but I am going to keep on this path and enjoy the journey...even the ugly scenes. Those are few and far between. For the longest time I stopped believing in "happily ever after". Now, I believe in them, but they do not "just happen". You have to work toward them and see them lying ahead. This fit feels right, my toes are not squooshed into the glass slippers, they fit nicely. His hand in mine, my head on his shoulder and we walk side by side.

I am not living a fairy tale afterall, it is real life and it is good to be me.