From the moment we met you realized this uncommon mixture, cerebral, physical, practical, and whimsical, totally brings the physics to the chemistry equation. You've quickly recognized that while a traditional girl by nature, my sense of adventure is inexorably intact, and the partnership we co-create will never be described as settling "down.” Now is the time to both figuratively and literally travel to places only yet dreamed about…
You’ve been searching for me, and I was there all along, only it was a bit hard to find me...out there… in that stubborn surf hoping to avoid nefarious gray-suits, blowing bubbles contemplating cuttlefish; only slightly lost in a snowstorm on that treacherous backcountry north side slope; just a little unrecognizable because I was rain-soaked, or mud-caked, spent, and just a bit too smug about those last few hard-won Mt. Tam miles. I may have missed you when rescue towing some friendly but slightly under-skilled/powered Tomales Bay kayakers; you paddled by, but my hunger had me thinking about the practicality of Chinese cormorant fishermen and nigiri. Was that me that passed you winding down Burma Trail? Did you backpack Desolation when I went to Yosemite? Maybe it was too dark in the planetarium where we both brushed up on event horizons...
You are that special guy who realizes you've finally found your best friend and forever trusted confidant, your Sunday morning relaxed fit, Friday night toastmaster/taste-tester. You somehow understand that from a bit of traveling in my 20s and a career-oriented 30s, there grew this deeply felt appreciation for time with loved ones, for contributing more meaningfully to community, and for never taking for granted moments we are given to live and love; you feel the same way. I married and divorced in my early 20s and because of that, I am very mindful about what partnership means. Dating since then and after grad school was meaningful, and there is this authentic gratitude for the friendships that provided insight into how one truly shines in-relationship (personality combinations and couple dynamics). Hopefully, you, like me have discovered that dating has clarified what are truly valuable qualities in the partnership of our hopes and dreams.
For me, my partner's self-confidence is assured, not because of who he knows, or what he's accumulated, but from his deeply valued investment in personal integrity, honesty, and kindness. He is generous because he's also intuitive and flexible (cognitively, that is...--yes yoga is nice, but that is not where I was heading). You totally get that actions speak louder than words; still you generally have something to say, and take pride in communicating well. You appreciate the intrinsic reward in being respected for weighing-in, taking-stock, and revisiting. You participate because you value building stronger intellectual and experiential bonds; you know memories are made in the present. You honor connection and compassion taking an avid interest in consequences and dynamics beyond a moment's action. Desire and passion are equally stirred by confidence and in tender or tough moments; you are in my back pocket no matter what. My partner's intellectual curiosity knows few bounds, and he can be passionately analytical at times. Importantly, even as much as you are thorough, considerate, researched, and collaborative, you won’t become paralyzed in executive decision-making processes. You are tough, brave, and bold enough (to even enjoy) “post-game” feedback on collaborative projects, because you are down with the longterm benefits/payoff in mutuality, synchronicity, and reciprocity. Finally, you're ready to combine our ragtag band of supporters into one "special" tribe; and they in turn are ready to support both of us in taking the plunge and in sailing out into uncharted waters, destination...unknown.
