Thirteen

We discovered each other on craigslist. I responded to her post.

We met at her apartment. Our shared love of Conan strengthened our bond.

We quickly fell in love with one another.

We (well, I) rescued a dog.

We moved in together. The first of many moves to come.

We traveled: to see new places, to see our favorite bands, to see our friends, to get married, and to start a new life together.

We parked in Charlotte.

Then in Fort Mill.

Finally, in Rock Hill, in a house to make our own.

We welcomed our son.

We embraced having more time with him during the pandemic.

We each discovered new hobbies.

The problem with We became Me.

That took far too long for Us to agree.

What helped: TED, books, podcasts, therapy, movies, groups and TV.

It's officially thirteen years after agreeing, "I do".

We have built a wonderful life together with a remarkable young man in a city full of friends.

But there is still residual damage from trauma and turbulence that can test any relationship.

It's an unlucky number.

But we are lucky to have each other, and our son.

Maybe there's something lucky about today?

Happy Anniversary, Laura.

My decision - now more than ever - is still, "I do."