Once there was Girl.

Girl was often very sad. Girl was very lost. Girl felt the world spin around her and couldn't keep her eyes or her head focussed. Girl wondered if anyone could understand what that was like.

There was, also, Boy.

Boy was a globetrotting happy man. Boy was intimidating at work. Boy was assertive, respected, and strong.

Boy had the bluest eyes that Girl had ever seen.

Girl was always hyper-conscious of Boy at every work meeting there was.

Boy remembers every detail of the first time he met Girl. He thought she was Irish. He was wrong.

Boy and Girl became friends.

Good friends.

And then they had to attend a massive conference in Bangkok.

Boy and Girl flew out with many others. It was much work. The days would be spent in long conferences working out the telecom world. The evenings were spent eating and drinking too much Singha Beer. Many nights were late as everyone gathered round the bar.

The last night of the event Boy sent Girl a text asking her to join the party. Girl was tired. Girl wanted room service and a bath. But Girl liked Boy. So Girl threw on a little yellow sundress and went downstairs. Everyone was laughing and drinking. A glass of wine found its way into her hand. Someone put a lei of orchids around Girl's neck.

Girl loves orchids.

Boy and Girl and many others laughed and drank. Then someone suggested that everyone go to the Backpacking District and keep drinking. Boy and Girl piled into one of many taxis taking everyone away. Everyone was in a great mood, and slightly tipsy. Boy and Girl laughed and told stories about events during the conference.

When Boy and Girl arrived to the Backpacking District, they got out of the cab. There was much traffic, much happening. People were everywhere.

Boy reached out to take Girl's hand and help her across the street.

He took her hand.

And for one moment, Girl's chaotic world stopped spinning. Every living thing held its breath and Girl felt every nerve ending in her body vibrate, just a bit. Girl thought that if only Boy would always hold her hand, always, then the world would be a livable place.

Boy did, eventually, have to let go.

But by the time he did, Girl's whole world had changed.

Many things continued to change in Girl's world. She moved countries. She lost a job, she gained a job. She lost a child, she gained stepkids. She lost, found, lost, and found herself again.

Many things changed in Boy's life, too. He moved countries. He lost a job, he gained a job. He lost custody, he gained hope. He lost, found, lost and found himself again.

And Boy and Girl have each other.

And Boy and Girl have a little dog and two angry cats.

And Boy and Girl have a house in the countryside.

And Boy and Girl have the greatest life that Girl could ever possibly have lived.

Boy and Girl's adventures are far from over. Some times are good, some times are bad. But the night that the world stopped spinning on a hot and steamy Thai night is the one Girl will treasure, forever.

That night was Halloween night, years and years ago.

I love you babe.

Happy anniverseary.

-H.

Posted by: Everydaystranger at 11:03 AM | Comments (25) | Add Comment
Post contains 566 words, total size 4 kb.

1 A very sweet story, Helen. Now tell me why the cats are angry? Is it Gorby?

Posted by: kenju at October 31, 2006 12:18 PM (L8e9z)

2 What a wonderful story.

Posted by: Hannah at October 31, 2006 01:04 PM (5w+E2)

3 Happy Halloween. Lovely story. (Today is my wedding anniversary.)

Posted by: wRitErsbLock at October 31, 2006 01:40 PM (pR/bI)

4 Very sweet, Helen. Happy anniversary, guys!

Posted by: Ice Queen at October 31, 2006 01:44 PM (Lyl8J)

5 Happy Anniversary! I love that story.

Posted by: donna at October 31, 2006 01:50 PM (fp2jp)

6 How very lovely..my anniversary is today, we got married in Scotland and can not wait to return. It took my husband and I 13 years to finally make a commitment, and once we decided it felt like the most important thing we'd ever done. Joy and best wishes on this most hallowed of days.

Posted by: jennifer at October 31, 2006 01:54 PM (F8TUc)

7 awwwwwwwww i love love stories

Posted by: geeky at October 31, 2006 02:11 PM (ziVl9)

8 No fair making me weepy this early in the morning. Happy Anniversary!!!!

Posted by: amber at October 31, 2006 02:32 PM (5PLeA)

9 Beautiful story! But now with pictures! ^_^ Happy Anniversary!!

Posted by: Michele at October 31, 2006 03:06 PM (5VGFA)

10 Happy Anniversary, you two.

Posted by: Lisa at October 31, 2006 03:06 PM (ELUjU)

11 Great story, Helen. Happy Anniversary wishes to the two of you.

Posted by: physics geek at October 31, 2006 03:20 PM (KqeHJ)

12 All treats. That's the best kind of Halloween. Happy anniversary.

Posted by: karmajenn at October 31, 2006 03:25 PM (32GTi)

13 Sweetest story ever, hands down.

Posted by: trouble at October 31, 2006 04:50 PM (j2vfb)

14 Happy Anniversary!

Posted by: Katy at October 31, 2006 06:58 PM (nVmEV)

15 so very beautiful! i am about to celebrate my one year wedding anniversary and you did such a wonderful job expressing what life is like with the man who makes you feel safe and wonderful. thanks for the inspiration and happy anniversary!

Posted by: stressed student at October 31, 2006 07:32 PM (oPKqa)

16 And boy and girl lived happily ever after Congrats sweetie..you deserve the very best.

Posted by: butterflies at October 31, 2006 08:20 PM (QQs40)

17 Awwww... how lovely. Isn't that something how just the right person can come out of nowhere and then later you can have them come into your life again...? It's one of those things that make me believe there really is a God.

Posted by: sue at October 31, 2006 09:25 PM (WbfZD)

18 Happy Anniversary. What a beautiful tribute...

Posted by: Dana at October 31, 2006 09:35 PM (MxZ0R)

19 Beautiful, wonderful, sweet story. Wishing you many more years.

Posted by: sophie at October 31, 2006 09:36 PM (R8lH1)

20 Sweet :-) Happy anniversary.

Posted by: Lisa at November 01, 2006 02:42 AM (Etw7O)

21 Awwwww. **sniffly** Congratulations on another trip together around the sun, and many more. Love you both!

Posted by: caltechgirl at November 01, 2006 04:26 AM (r0kgl)

22 Awww...very cute, Helen. Congratulations! Glad you have your Boy by your side.

Posted by: Amanda at November 01, 2006 04:20 PM (ay+rD)

23 How incredibly sweet and honest.... Happy anniversary, happy life... HUGS

Posted by: Elizabeth at November 01, 2006 06:49 PM (1ehDg)

24 that was lovely I bet he thought you were Irish coz your name is Helen

Posted by: melanie at November 05, 2006 09:49 AM (NytjG)

25 ... happy anniversary to you guys.... and many happy returns....

Posted by: Eric at November 07, 2006 10:28 PM (NlzwQ)

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