All of the Things That Matter

Ours is a second-time around love story. I met him after I returned from a solo backpacking trip to Europe where I had gone to escape the mess I'd made of my life. A few months before, I'd run away from a wedding planned just for me and where my presence was required. Later, after it was too late to say "I do," I realized I'd made a mistake; I'd lost the one and only man I could ever love. No one could ever, Ever, replace my shy, soft-spoken, sweet-talking, laid-back southern beau.

ENTER TOM

I didn't like him but he didn't notice. I avoided him, but wherever I went, there he was. He was forward, high volume, and rabid with energy. He was one hundred eighty degrees the other direction from the one and only man I could ever love. I wanted nothing to do with him, but that didn't stop him. He was handsome in a Billy Crystal sort of way. And he made me laugh, too. But my heart was in southern Indiana with the only man I could ever love. But look who's at the door, Carol Louise. It's Tom, and he wants to take you to the circus.

Being with Tom was like being at the circus. Never a dull moment, lots of entertainment, many surprises, high energy, and you never knew what was coming next. There were no sweet nothings whispered in my ear, no talk of me being his precious southern belle, no books on How To Please My Man, no lazy summer days sitting on the front porch drinking sweet tea and watching the dandelions grow. Oh, no. With Tom, it was push the pedal to the metal 'cause he had places to go, things to do, people to meet, goals to accomplish. No time to waste. Life was meant to live. So hop on board, if you dare, and let's see where this journey takes us.

That was thirty-eight years ago, and our journey together was short. Tom's ambitions and immense dislike for the tundra took him and his circus 600 miles south to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. My infatuation with love took me to a farm in Greenwood, Indiana. Twenty years later...Well, look who's at the door, Carol Louise. It's Tom and he wants to take you to the circus.

He is one of the most wonderful and amazing men I have ever known. No, that's not true. He is the most wonderful and amazing man I have ever known. Think about all of the things that matter when defining a very good person, all of the things that matter when choosing a mate, and all of the things that matter in a relationship. I have them. I have them all.  And they are in the one and only man I will forever love: my best friend, my biggest supporter and fan, my mentor, my lover, and my husband, Tom. Plus, who do you know who gets to go to the circus every single day?

If you're reading this Tom, I loved you yesterday, I love you today, and I will love you even more tomorrow.