Who wood have thought?
After two motion-sickness pills, three tranquilizers, and six hours of armrest clutching, I resumed normal breathing as the airplane landed.
This was really the only way I could fly: drugged and muted. The stewardess didn’t even bother to offer me a beverage. I stood up with my head bent forward, ducking below the overhead compartments, and inched my way into the line of passengers in the center isle. With each step, I grasped the back of an unoccupied seat, struggling to find my balance.
Once I finally reached the front of the aircraft, I stopped to face the exit door. The searing summer heat shook me sober, and my eyes stung from the blazing afternoon sun. Beside me, a pilot’s voice mumbled, “Enjoy your stay in San Diego.”
The sunlight here was different from the sunlight back in Florida. Although it was roughly the same temperature, the air was drier, and my tank top did not stick to me. The shadows cast from the tall palm trees seemed strangely unfamiliar. Perhaps the fronds were a different species. Late afternoon hues along the pavement even appeared foreign, from another world.
My luggage made its way around the baggage carousel, and I yanked each suitcase off with fervor.
“One. Two. Three bags.” I thought doing a mental count.
I turned around and swiftly maneuvered my rolling baggage behind me. Weaving in and out of the congested arteries of the terminal- a dense network of blond hair and tanned skin scattering in different directions- I was clearly a foreign body. The wandering stares at my high-cheek bones and pin-straight black hair offered a self-conscious diagnosis that I did not belong.
But more pressing concerns sped the pace of my feet, nearly as quickly as my thoughts. Anxiety. Fear. Determination. All pulsated against my frontal cortex. With each step, each heartbeat, each breath, the uncertainty of a temporary work assignment for the next three months seemed too heavy to bear. No car. No map. Not a familiar face within three time zones.
This was not part of the itinerary.
Steps away from the exit, my stomach overturned as I whispered softly beneath my breath, “What the hell am I doing?”
But a blast of 100F degree heat from the sliding automatic doors focused my thoughts, as if they were curtains pulled aside to expose a new life.
—————————————————————————————————————————————–
Somehow I knew, that on that day, my life would never be the same. However, I would have never imagined what I would discover during that “temporary” work assignment. Despite living alone out of a few suitcases, with a horrible job, and not knowing a soul, I somehow found Dadisodes.
Years ago we would lie about how we met, back when meeting someone online was deemed taboo, too dangerous, and merely for the eccentric internet user. But I have no regrets taking the dive to meet him in person on a whim. Even though I was only to be there for a few weeks, I took a chance. I figured my chance was lost when he ended of our first date with a handshake, but with a stroke of luck, all the odds were in my favor, and another date followed. Turns out, he was just a geek gentleman.
Happy 5th Anniversary Dadisodes…
Perhaps we can do Vegas again someday.
Awww… Happy Anniversary to both of you!
ceemee´s last blog ..See Alice in Wonderland Again
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:37 pm
Y’all are gorgeous! Happy Anniversary. Love your story…
Elaine´s last blog ..WW – Reality
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:42 pm
You were a gorgeous bride! Happy Anniversary to you both.
Tara R.´s last blog ..The depths of her sorrow…
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:44 pm
Happy Anniversary! And many more.
Angela at mommy bytes´s last blog ..WW – Adam’s Ceiling
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:45 pm
Happy Anniversary . You are ONE beautiful couple!
angie´s last blog ..Bathroom Facelift
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:48 pm
What a great story! Happy Anniversary!
I think on-line dating is far less taboo than how I met my husband- in a bar!
Run DMT´s last blog ..Keeping Up with the Bump
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:50 pm
Happiest Anniversary to you!! What a beautiful post. And a beautiful couple!!
Cecily R´s last blog ..Wordful Wednesday and 365 Week 9
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:09 pm
Heh, great post. Happy Anniversary.
Hockeyman´s last blog ..A softer, cuddlier hockeymandad…..sorta (Including Giveaway)
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:16 pm
So sweet!!
Happy Anniversary! And here’s to many more!
Alicia´s last blog ..HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGY IN THE WINDOW?
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:30 pm
Congrats! Michelle and I just passed a dozen. It’s a fine wine.
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:37 pm
Cute story
Happy Anniversary!
Sara´s last blog ..Homemaker Notebook
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:41 pm
Happy anniversary!!!
Muthering Heights´s last blog ..Six Tricks
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:45 pm
Happy Anniversary!!!! I enjoyed reading your story thanks for sharing it.
Joyce-Anne´s last blog ..That Damn Tree
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:46 pm
I love it! Beautiful writing. What an adventerous spirit you have. Congrats on you anni!
March 2nd, 2010 at 11:09 pm
Happy Anniversary!! Cheer to many more to come!
March 2nd, 2010 at 11:12 pm
Awww! Happy Anniversary! You are a beautiful couple!
Lauren´s last blog ..Splish Splash
March 2nd, 2010 at 11:42 pm
Happy Anniversary!!! Beautiful picture!
Mama in Suburbia´s last blog ..Nature’s Grim Reapers
March 2nd, 2010 at 11:52 pm
This was so sweet
Happy Anniversary!
debi b´s last blog ..Will You Share Your Sunny Spot With Me?
March 3rd, 2010 at 12:08 am
Happy anniversary! You guys looked gorgeous!
Sherry´s last blog ..
March 3rd, 2010 at 12:37 am
wow. happy anniversary! you made it sound like flying is a disease LOL
PM´s last blog ..Best Cat Food In The World
March 3rd, 2010 at 12:39 am
at first I thought you were traveling with heavy pregnancy oh no no!
the story ended so beautiful..happy anniversary to both of you!
agnes´s last blog ..Crystal’s & Zachary’s Birthday
March 3rd, 2010 at 1:14 am
Happy Anniversary….hope you are even happier today!
Erin´s last blog ..The 6th Sense Part II
March 3rd, 2010 at 1:38 am
awww! what a sweet post!!! Beautiful picture of you both!!!Congrats!!!!!
twincerely,Olga´s last blog ..Post-it note Tuesday!!!
March 3rd, 2010 at 1:41 am
Happy Anniversary! Glad you took the leap! Looks like it turned out great for all of you!
Marie´s last blog ..Just Snuggle
March 3rd, 2010 at 2:50 am
Happy Anniversary!
John ended our first date with a hug. God, he was SO nervous and cute!!
March 3rd, 2010 at 5:15 am
Okay, now I KNOW there was a reason I started reading your blog.
She drove on a bus from Houston Texas to the middle of nowhere Virginia to meet me after talking online for months playing online roleplaying games. We too lied about how we met, being embarrassed about how it came to pass and all that.
Difference with is us, this was 1993 when online dating didn’t exist. Hell, the internet was still a bunch of dial up bulletin boards
We’ve been married for 15 years now and have two wonderful kids.
Happy Anniversary to you and Dadisodes.
M@´s last blog ..Reaction, Attitude, and Perception
March 3rd, 2010 at 7:59 am
What a wonderful picture! Happy anniversary!
I didn’t know you two met online! My hubs and I met via Match.com. It was a whim for me at the suggestion of a friend. I rationalized that if I was on there, there might be other “normal” people on there, too. Turns out there was at least one. Lucky for me.
Cara´s last blog ..36
March 3rd, 2010 at 8:07 am
Happy Anniversary!!
Marylin´s last blog ..Playing with Photoshop…
March 3rd, 2010 at 8:40 am
happy anniversary!! i’m sure he’s got something special planned for his baby mama
taraneh´s last blog ..My Husband is a Rock Star
March 3rd, 2010 at 8:58 am
awww…so sweet. beautiful photo! happy anniversary to and your man.
prasti´s last blog ..wordless wednesday::i don’t want to share
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:10 am
Aw–and you still love him even when an alien is trying to explode from your belly? True love.
The Mother´s last blog ..I’m Confused…
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:13 am
Happy anniversary dear !
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:22 am
Awww … such a sweet ending to your story! Happy Anniversary … you make a lovely couple
Hugs and blessings,
Small Reflections´s last blog ..Morning Musings …
March 3rd, 2010 at 11:24 am
Awwww, what a beautiful story! Happy anniversary!
If I Could Escape´s last blog ..Dennis the Menace …
March 3rd, 2010 at 11:38 am
Oh happy anniversary, honey! How awesome that you met him that way! Congrats to the two of you– I hope you get to do something special!
xo
Heather´s last blog ..Plethora
March 3rd, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Happy anniversary!
u look like a princess!
everything will be fun,
all sufferings will win joy, happiness, and health…
Happy March!
jingle´s last blog ..I feel Good When…
March 3rd, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Yeah. That’s pretty cool. Wish I had a cool story to tell about how I met Dumb Dad. Oh well. I can tell people I planned our wedding (set the date and booked the place) before he even asked me to marry him. That always gets people interested:). Happy anniversary!
Dumb Mom´s last blog ..Wordful Scoop This Wednesday
March 3rd, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Beautiful! Happy anniversary pal! -Christine
Boston Mamas´s last blog ..Seeing the Everyday
March 3rd, 2010 at 1:05 pm
I think high cheeks bones are the best kind of cheek bones in The World! I do not have those.
Happy Anniversary! You are one GORGEOUS couple!! Both of you.
xo
Jannie Funster´s last blog ..The Blog Party (a poem)
March 3rd, 2010 at 2:38 pm
That is beautiful! Happy Anniversary! I hope you have a great day.
Cascia @ Healthy Moms´s last blog ..How to Cope With the Loss of a Pet
March 3rd, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Happy Anniversary. Now I can see why you have a fondness for San Diego.
Michelle @ one crafty mama´s last blog ..WW- February 365
March 3rd, 2010 at 3:25 pm
What a great story. You and Dadisodes and such a beautiful couple. Happy anniversary.
Allison´s last blog ..Top 10 Reasons My Husband is a Better Dad Than I Could Be
March 3rd, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Life is all about taking chances. Here’s to many more happy years together! Post more wedding pics!
Carrie´s last blog ..How can these people possibly be having sex?
March 3rd, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Happy Anniversary!!!
Amy´s last blog ..Water Table
March 3rd, 2010 at 5:03 pm
Aww I love happy endings
Happy Anniversary!
MBonn´s last blog ..Safe to Eat Cookie Dough
March 3rd, 2010 at 5:28 pm
How sweet! Happy 5th anniversary to you both!
Jenni Jiggety´s last blog ..WW: I Can’t Quit You
March 3rd, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Congrats! Happy Anniversary!
Asianmommy´s last blog ..Teacher & Student (Mandarin)
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:08 pm
What a great story. Happy anniversary to you both!
Genny´s last blog ..Waiting…
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:27 pm
Sometimes a woman just knows when to take that chance! Happy Anniversary! I’m sorry you were so afraid to fly, but that’s a wonderful story.
Xmasdolly´s last blog ..WORDLESS WEDNESDAY – Guess Who???
March 3rd, 2010 at 11:21 pm
What a gorgeous story, congrats on your anniversary
Jeanette´s last blog ..61/365 – Intricate beads
March 4th, 2010 at 12:03 am
What sweet memories. I especially love how sometimes doing something that seems completely crazy can change your life forever. Happy anniversary!
Amy´s last blog ..Manipulation Masters
March 4th, 2010 at 12:41 am
Congrats Sandy! You guys are too cute. Hope you’re celebrating in style!
skiplovey´s last blog ..Be Here Now
March 4th, 2010 at 1:12 am
Happy Anniversary! That is an absolutely beautiful photo. I (selfishly) think you should do Vegas again sooner rather than later!
Karin aka perpstu´s last blog ..Melting Away a Little Bit
March 4th, 2010 at 1:21 am
PS I’ve tagged, challenged and memed you over on my blog! Like you don’t have enough to do! =)
If I Could Escape´s last blog ..Dennis the Menace …
March 4th, 2010 at 8:58 am
Ah – the story of how “gentle man” met “gentle woman”. And we are all so lucky the two of you did meet – for if you had not – who’s to say that you’d be where you are today – firmly ensconced in so many of our hearts.
lceel´s last blog ..100 Word Challenge – Hidden
March 4th, 2010 at 11:31 am
Happy Anniversary!!! Boy, do we share a new common bond!!!
blueviolet´s last blog ..Your Feet Stink? Interesting. For Me, It’s My Hands.
March 4th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
Happy Anniversary!
Mama Zen´s last blog ..Smooches
March 4th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
Happy Anniversary!! I love that pic.
The post was perfect!!
Rachel @ Grasping for Objectivity´s last blog ..Uncle Joe’s Tot Locker.
March 4th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
Congratulations on your anniversary! I hope you have many more.
March 4th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
Congragulations, and glad you made it..great story…
Dorothy from grammology
grammoloyg.com
Dorothy Stahlnecker´s last blog ..A kidnapping, a sensless killing: the System fails us again
March 4th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
A very hot geek, um, gentleman! As befits his hot wife!
No high cheekbones or pin-straight hair in San Diego? What century was that?
Happy Anniversary, Momisodes and Dadisodes!
March 5th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Happy Anniversary!!!!!!!!!!!! Gorgeous shot, but can we get one with your beautiful face too?
Okay, and doing the math here….. was Babisodes a pre-wedding gift? Or a honeymoon baby?
CC´s last blog ..Picture Exchange Communication
March 5th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
Gorgeous photo! And I think this is my first glimpse of Dadisodes!! Hubba hubba!
I met Mr. Jenners online too … I always felt like I had to cover it up a little bit as well. It seemed so scandalous at the time!
Happy Anniversary!
Jenners´s last blog ..Goal Update 2
March 6th, 2010 at 12:13 am
Happy Anniversary!! I enjoyed reading this story, so well written. As usual.
Jientje´s last blog ..Friday’s Fave Five, First Signs of Spring
March 6th, 2010 at 2:38 am
I love the way he’s looking at you in your wedding photo. What a catch! And by the way, my husband and I still sometimes do the “mumble, mumble, long story” answer when we’re asked how we met. Somehow, proclaiming that our match made in heaven was also made on a website just gets us all red in the face!
Emily´s last blog ..My Tea Partiers
March 6th, 2010 at 11:38 am
I love this story…and your picture!! I didn’t realize your anniversary was the day after MINE!!
3/1/03 – Grandy-land baby!!
Grandy´s last blog ..You Didn’t Just GO There?
March 8th, 2010 at 3:40 am
Absolutely love the picture. So gorgeous. Happy Anniversary!
Maria @ Conversations with Moms´s last blog ..The Cruise and the Plan
March 9th, 2010 at 10:18 pm