Couch Surfing.com

About 2 years ago I was doing a bike trip in Vermont. It started in Burlington on a Sunday, and I wanted to go up a day early so I could look around Burlington a little more than the bike tour allotted. That weekend just happened to be homecoming weekend, parents weekend and every other weekend that Burlington had to offer. The bottom line was there were no rooms to be had unless you were booking for the entire weekend, which brings me to "Couch Surfing.com".
I had heard about couch surfing on a radio station that I listen to, so I thought "what the heck".

After filling out all the necessary blanks I decided to just go up the day the tour starts, and forgot all about it.

6 months later I got an email from a gentleman in Wisconsin who had a son at the Naval Academy, and was coming in for a weekend to see him, did I mind if he crashed on my couch. I just happened to be leaving the 2nd day he was here, so I said sure. Well this year his son is graduating, so he asked if he could stay again, this time with 5 other people. I'm just a girl who can't say no. David and Disa arrived last Sunday, his sister and her husband came in on Thursday, and his other son came in on Friday. Did I mention my air conditioner's condenser went out?

Taking It As It Comes.

I know everyone has probably been on pins and needles about Tom and my outcome. It's been all over the place. He wrote an email saying he didn't think he wanted the "Hot and Heavy" (his words) kind of relationship that I did. I wrote him back and said, "What a relief. Once again we are on the same page". Then he asked if I wanted to go bike riding. The bottom line is we get along famously when we're together, so why not just keep having fun together. Last weekend we repeated our Eastern Shore ride. Memorial Day we rode on the C&O Canal through Harper's Ferry. The guy that we got to take this picture, handed the camera back and said, "some one's in love". I said, "Yeah, we just don't know who with". After a beautiful day together we headed back to Tom's. After riding in 98 degree weather, I hopped in the shower, when I got out Tom showed me his portrait wall in his bedroom. He has a photo of his 2 children, his brand new grand daughter, his family which include his mom, 2 brothers and 2 sisters, and 2, not 1 but 2, of he and I. They are photos that I have put on the blog, but to be on his bedroom wall, Holy Moly. I guess I should have been friends with him all along. Oh! did I mention he has invited me to Maine in July. Go Figure!! I am just taking it as it comes, and enjoying every minute of it.

One For The Road

The rest of Sunday evening was spent watching a movie, 127 Hours, with the proverbial elephant in the room. Tom tried to consol me, but it wasn't working. I told him that if he still had feelings for Sally, I didn't want to feel like if he stayed with me he would have always wondered, would of, could of, should of, I am better than that. I also told him that they split for a reason, it may be nice for a week, a month, maybe even longer, but the problems they had before would resurface unless somthing was done to resolve them.
The next morning I had a doctor appointment, and then we were going to play tennis. I for one thought hitting a tennis ball with all my might would do wonders. Early Monday morning, 5:00am, Tom's cell phone beeped to alert him and me that a text had just arrived. Guess who? I was getting up to walk the dogs anyway. When I got back Tom told me the gist of the texting. Sally, "Want to meet for coffee"? Tom, "I'm not at home". Sally, "WTF", nice, huh? While I get ready for my appoinment, the texting contiued and I was only getting tidbits from Tom. Uuuuggghhhh.
Tom takes me to my appoinment and is alone with the "text-mess" for the next hour. Well by the time my appoinment is over, instead of breakfast and tennis, Tom doesn't think he'll be very good company, drops me off at home and goes back to Gaithersburg, and I'm sure to Sally's. I am crushed, and call my sister right away.

Trouble in Paradise.

Throughout Tom and my relationship, Tom has been nothing but honest with me. It is one of my only stipulations, along with having nice teeth. From our very first date Tom talked about a previous relationship that had ended badly. It was with someone he thought he would spend the rest of his life with. I didn't ask alot of questions, because I wanted our time together to be about us, but if anything came up I was certainly there to listen.
Tom's daughter Lauren has recently had a baby, and when we were headed to Old Rag Mountain Lauren called and said that Sally (Tom's ex) wanted to come see the baby and give her a gift. Tom told Lauren that it was fine, but not to make the visit about him. I was in the car for the entire conversation, and knew then and there Sally wanted back in. People don't just don't do things like that unless they want to find a small opening, and from what I had heard about Sally, she was not doing it for kindness sake. There is nothing to worry about according to Tom.
Another few weeks go by and Tom tells me Sally wants to see him. She has some things of his, he has some thing of hers, including a spare car key and she needs closure. Well I am all for this. I think closure is going to be good for everyone involved, but I also know how wonderful Tom is and find it hard to believe Sally really wants closure. I sure hope Tom is right. This all happened on Saturday. Tom is scheduled to come over for dinner on Sunday, and tennis on Monday. I am a nervous wreck. Tom doesn't say anything all through dinner, and of course I am so upset inside, I can't eat. We sit down on the couch after an amazing dinner, and Tom tells me Sally wants him back. Surprise, surprise.

It Just Keeps Getting Better.

This week Tom and I are headed to the Eastern Shore to bike from Easton to Oxford. The round trip was only 20 miles and flat, so it was very easy. What a great day...we stopped at a grocery store, picked up lunch, and then found parking by a small beach in Oxford. Tom took out a blanket and we spread all our culinary delights out, and enjoyed the day and the company. I am telling you I am over the moon about this guy. I dated Terry, who was from Easton, for a year and never made it to Oxford. Anyway... At our half way point on the bike we stopped at a Golf Clubhouse, had some refreshments then started back. We laugh and talk like we are long lost

friends. We really do get along well.

The same week Tom asks me to go hiking with a group he hikes with. That's right 2 dates in one week, he even invites both Scout and Harper. OMG!! A man who likes my kids, can it get any better? After checking the route I decide just to take Scout. It's a 7 mile hike and I'm afraid at 9 years old, Harper would just stop having fun after a mile or 2. We had another wonderful day, this time with others included. I think it's easy to get along when it's just 2 of you, the real test comes when you see how well they play with others.