Note: This is just the beginning of the journey, and I'm just getting started. There's far more to come as I'll be updating it here over time. Plus finishing a description of our first day together.
Now, she and I've known each other for several years...going on ten, upon my last count. Yes, this was chatting on the Internet, before you ask. If you can't handle that, please feel free to move on. For those that remain, those years were spent with talking and building a very strong friendship. It hasn't been a constant thing, as we've gone separate ways - or she's last access to the 'net for a few months - here and there. No matter what, though, we've always picked up where we left off and moved on from there. I can't imagine anyone better in my life, and we've been "an item" for over a year now. I'll admit it took me a while to break down and finally admit the change in status from just "friends" to a couple, given the various burns I've had in the past. However, I'm extremely glad I did. *Pausing for a moment and then chuckling.* Ah, what would the lovely lady's name be? Well that would be Kim. I believe in Internet security, so I shall not use her second name here.
We finally met last August. Specifically, I drove from Edmonton down to Zanesville, OH. I rented a car from Budget for the trip, which started on August 26th, 2007. According to the Yahoo! Maps website the trip was about 32 hrs. long or so. I honestly don't think that covered sleeping. I bless the stars above I had the foresight to rent a GPS unit with the car. That thing came in bloody handy throughout the trip. Although I do wish it had been a bit more updated as it missed a couple sections of rather large construction. This included a large part of the roads entering on I...*Blinking.* I91, I think it was. Oh, and if I never have to go through the toll booths in Illinois again - at least without an electronic pass - I'll be thrilled. Even if that means I'll have to go around for several hours through another state.
If that last statement sounds drastic, then here's the reason: I hit Chicago during rush-hour traffic around 3:30pm. I sat there, crawling very occasionally forward, for well over an hour. I don't recall exactly how long as I think I've partially blocked out the experience already and marked it as a "here be dragons" zone. ;) Needless to say, I think I've got a good idea why there's so much road rage down in the major US cities now if that was just a taste of things. Good grief. Edmonton has absolutely ~nothing~ on Chicago's rush hour traffic. Period. If someone catches me talking about moving anywhere near such a large city, they've got my permission to whap me with a pillow upside the back of the head. At least without some serious reasons for said move, at any rate.
Okay, back to the rest of the trip down. I quite enjoyed it. Other than the fact I only allowed myself quick catnaps for the most part on the way down. I do envy the rest stops that have been set up down there. They're terrific. Only thing missing is a shower, and I can guess a few reasons as to why there was none to be had. The fact they're usually not that far out from the city or town's a good idea as at least it gives a driver the chance to rest before actually driving through said population center. The scenery was beautiful. For the most part the roads were in pretty good shape - one plus side for Illinois is that they've got the best roads I've seen overall from what I drove on from those same annoying toll booths. Oh, and continuing the toll booth rant for a moment they wouldn't be nearly so bad but for the fact the charge at each one was usually different from stop to stop. I can guess at the reasons, but wouldn't it make more sense to charge the same prices at all road tolls and maybe a bit more at bridge ones? Just a thought.
Honestly, I'm surprised I didn't get any speeding tickets - at least none that I know of - since I also saw a pretty high police presence here and there along the trip. Maybe they didn't bother me since the car was obviously from Canada. I honestly don't know on that one, since I'm pretty sure I would have been nailed by one of them at least. Ah well, I don't mind dodging the ticket bullet.
Anyway, the destination was one heck of a wonderful sight when I got there. That this was my longest road trip ever so far would be nothing but the truth. That I was pretty bloody tired would also be true. Not even worries about finally meeting her disturbed my sleep. Although the nerves returned later that day as the prospect of meeting her loomed. I knew she was on her way after the kids were off to school, but when she'd not appeared after an hour I ended up calling her house. Her sister-in-law answered and told me that she'd left on time and should be at the hotel soon. Needless to say, the butterflies in my stomach grew bigger still. A short time later the phone in my room rang and I picked it up quickly. It wasn't her voice on the other end, but the front desk attendant telling me that I had a visitor. Kim's voice sounded rather nervous when the phone was handed over to her, and she asked if she'd woken me or if it would be better to come back later. The very idea! I immediately told her "Don't you dare!" and provided her with the room number I was in. A minute or two later there was a nervous knock on the door. The entire journey down was worth it when I opened the hotel room door and saw her for the first time with my own eyes.
I know how nervous I was, and her voice sounded far better in reality than over the phone when she said, "Jonny?" Less than a moment later, in one of those moments where time doesn't matter, and we were holding each other for a tight hug. I then gently pulled her into the room and closed the door. Returning to holding her close as I lowered my head and we kissed for the first time. It was absolute Heaven personified. I know I enjoyed hearing the soft whimper she made as our lips parted so we could talk a bit about how nervous we'd been. Along with my saying how long I'd been waiting to kiss her. I don't think she quite believed me, as she made a slightly disbelieving reply before I kissed her even more deeply the second time. I guess that proved my point as she didn't ask again.
Honestly, she looked so beautiful, and we'd been waiting so long to meet. It felt only right when after she and I moved to settle onto the bed to talk some more along with kissing and caressing. If there'd been any doubt about the chemistry online translating into reality, well it was quickly shattered. We talked easily with each other, I told her a bit about the trip to get down there...although I'm not sure if I mentioned the fact that about an hour away from Zanesville I came the closest to having an accident. I was determined to get there, but also pretty tired. At one point the eyes closed while I was behind a semi-trailer truck. The eyes closed for a few moments - not sure how long, but when I opened them again the trailer's back end was maybe ten feet in front of the car. Needless to say, that gave one heck of an adrenaline rush.
Anyway, I'm honestly not sure where things kicked off, but we did go beyond caressing and into the realm of our first sexual encounter. Needless to say, it was as beautiful as I'd expected after our years of friendship and more. I don't think I'll ever forget it. However, there's no sense going into details on site meant for PG-13 people. Afterwards, we cuddled more and then she reminded me it was almost time to get the kids.
I've not been with such young kids for very long in years. The fact they were her kids and thus trying to make a good impression was a huge weight in some ways, again brought the nerves back. We drove back to her place and waited for about half an hour for first Adri - her daughter - and Micah - her son - to get off their buses from school. Again, things went far more easily than I'd feared initially. The kids and I hit it off pretty well, and they pretty much jumped up and down when the idea of going for a swim at the hotel came up. So Kim and the kids went into the house to get their stuff. The trip back to the hotel was filled with various questions...and my introduction to some of the music the kids listen to. As with most kids - including my own childhood - the favourite music ended up being played over and over again throughout my time there.
The swimming time was awesome. I lifted the kids out of the water, or tossed them further...tickled, and otherwise played with them and Kim. I loved every moment of it, and it was over far too soon when Kim told me it was close to the bedtime hour. So we drove back to their house and I returned to the hotel alone. I stayed up watching a bit of TV and thinking about how great the day had been. Needless to say, I had no problem falling asleep that night.
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