2011.04.22.01: I reckon I owe everyone an update...

[daecabhir]

The last time I made a post of substance, it was about how someone incredibly special had entered my life. Since then the story of this evolving relationship and how incredibly happy I've been these past few months has largely been chronicled in short bursts on my Facebook page or on Twitter. Apparently there are some details that have fallen through the cracks, quite likely because I'm sometimes obtuse, or because following other people's life sagas through social networks is like drinking from a fire hose, or because I've just simply omitted those details. At any rate, I reckon I owe everyone some clarity.

The bottom line is this: when I least expected it, when I wasn't looking for it, when I thought that I'd blown my one chance at making a life with someone, I met Anna. The past six months (yes, dear bikher, I remembered that tomorrow is six months - like 30 seconds ago) have been amazing, and every day we fall more truly, deeply, madly in love with each other. If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you've probably had to reach for a barf bag or Pepto Bismol (or as our friend Ben says "Frwo up") from one of our #dorksinlove posts. And those don't even begin to scratch the surface (srsly, ask dreamtigress, she'll vouch for us).

The complicating factor in our relationship has been distance - we've had a long-but-not-too-long-distance relationship, with Anna living in rural Virginia and me living in Baltimore. There's been quite a bit of road running between the house in Virginia ("Country Home") and the row house in Baltimore ("City Home"), with Anna's mom graciously taking in Tucker and Duchess (a pair of wonderful AmStaff Terriers) when Anna is with me at City Home. And there's been quite a bit of time spent on the phone when we're not together, for all the sappy, Hallmark reasons you can imagine.

Long story short, we've decided that we want one home (well, we've decided that we want to be together full time, and that one home is the best solution). Anna owns her house, and I rent, and my lease is up in June. Even if the housing market wasn't in the dumpster, Country Home has felt like home since I first set foot in it last November, and so the decision was made that the one home will be Country Home. I've taken the plunge by looking for a new job, and we've been gradually migrating my possessions south from City Home and my storage unit to Country Home. By the end of June I'll be doing things like getting a Virginia driver's license, registering to vote in Culpeper county, and commuting to a new job.

This is obviously quite an upheaval for me, especially given the upheaval already present in my life from the divorce. But change is a necessary part of life, and this is a very welcome and exciting change - to make a home, and even more importantly a life, with the woman I love. And I am extremely grateful for that opportunity.

Obviously there are many details I have left out, and the devil is in the details, so I'm sure there will be questions. I might even answer a few. Maybe. But either way, thanks for listening.

Comments

[lohquesse.livejournal.com]

Good for you. Glad that you are doing what is best for you, the relationship, etc. Sad that you'll be moving to hell and gone :) VA ain't all that bad, and I am sure for you it is more than 100% better because Anna is there!

Just don't be a stranger (well, stranger than you already are!) and you'd better still come to Balticon every year...

[paul-umbcer.livejournal.com]

Welly welly welllll. Lots happenin' here. Guess I've been out of it so long from the BSFS meetings I'm out of the loop on a lot of stuff. From your Facebook musings, it was sounding alot like lovey dovey for months. You sound happy though. Best of luck. Country home sounds kind of remote. Will we see you again in Bmore? Are u gettin out of con activities?

[kcs-slayve.livejournal.com]

:D

[netpositive.livejournal.com]

I already knew some of this from running into you at BSFS, but I'll repeat my congratulations and sympathy (you are moving from MD to VA, after all... yes, I feel I can say that since I've technically been in VA 20 years this month :P). Wishing you the best and threatening to come find you if you don't keep in touch. :)

[chellebelle74.livejournal.com]

I am completely thrilled for you, darling. My love and I did much the same whirlwind thing when we finally realized we needed to be together for the rest of our lives. Good luck in VA, and don't forget to come visit (or invite us to come visit).

Mazel tov!

[c8h10n4o2 (from livejournal.com)]

COngratulations. I know from direct experience what kind of upheaval divorce brings, especially if it's contentious.

Where does this leave you for employment, though? This economy is kind of rough, still.