November 1 - 5
Several things came together the first week in November that made for one of THE BEST getaways, especially for me. The first piece of what led to this getaway came the day before New Year's Day when my most favorite former student, and best adult gal-pal Kimmy and I exchanged messages and I told her my New Year's resolution was for us to somehow see one another in person this year as we'd gone four years since we were together. From the beginning it was a struggle as she has such a hectic schedule with two small children and a very busy work schedule which includes frequent travel. The second piece came in mid-July when our girlfriend from Cypress Bay High, Shelly reached out and asked about our new condo. She told us she often comes to see her Mom and Dad who live about an hour away from our condo and we began working on her to visit us. At that point I reached out to Kimmy and asked how close she was to Waxhaw where Shelly lives with her husband Ty. She told me less than 15 miles. Shelly's trip to Orlando worked out to take place in late August as she stayed for three nights. Before she arrived I told Kim that we could expect Shelly to ask us to return the visit and come to her home in North Carolina. While she was here we looked at dates and the first week in November was a good time for her. Kim's good friend and former student Sandra lives in North Carolina. When we dropped Shelly off at the airport we began talking about doing this and Kim said, "Sandra lives close by, doesn't Kimmy?" And so we coordinated the entire visit with all three. AND then I tacked on a trip to Ohio to visit family after seeing everyone in North Carolina.
Flew into Charlotte on November first (up at 3am for a 6:45 flight from Orlando) and Sandra picked up Kim while I took the rental car to Shelly & Ty's. Kim arrived late that afternoon. We have four great days with Shelly & Ty.
Kimmy and I coordinated schedules and it worked out she and her family were in Tennessee for a getaway through Tuesday but had me over Wednesday late afternoon and for dinner. Didn't get the run and hug I usually get, but got THE biggest smile and a "You made it!" That was followed by a double embrace. Kimmy gave me an extended tour of their home with all the history of the changes they had made and had planned for the future. I asked her right away to take a picture with our jackets on and explained I'd forgotten mine. So I'd borrowed one from Brad. And that was significant because Brad had told me in February that I'd never go to North Carolina and visit Kimmy at her house. Oh he doesn't understand our relationship - I knew Kimmy was serious at trying to make it work...so we went on the front porch and posed, me in Brad's jacket :)
During our visit as we chatted with her good friend Kelly who was visiting and her husband Court and caught up with each other. At one point the fictional series of books came up and I reminded her of how the initial inspiration had come from her - when she'd invited me to visit and I asked the AI "ChatGPT" to create an image of us five years older. That brought a big smile from Kimmy as I explained part of the main character is loosely based on her, though mostly on Kim. She asked if I would publish the books and I explained that while it was fictionalized there were a lot of parts that were pretty close to our lives and to Kimmy. She shrugged and said "oh that's ok, I wouldn't mind." Then I explained that the story had gone from a "Hallmark" kind of story in the first two books to a more adult-themed, streaming service kind of story. Kimmy laughed and said she still wouldn't mind if I wanted to publish it. Her kids were so sweet and it was a great four hours plus of visiting. But the best was at the end when she walked me out. Her 6yo daughter gave me a big hug and said goodbye. Followed us out into the garage and reached up for another hug and goodbye. She ran back inside. Then the look in Kimmy’s face - sigh - the soft affection in her eyes. She said thanks for coming….bug long hug. I said I really miss you. She said softly I miss you too - reached for me, second hug. I said I know you are busy and can’t answer all my text but I imagine you smiling. She said I DO read them and smile. I’m so busy…keep texting me. I do see them, keep texting until I answer. Third hug. I said promise it won’t be this long again…I promise, hug number four. She smiled - a moment passed. Text me when you get back so I know you made it - I will. Hug #5. One more smoke exchange. She said softly, thanks for coming all this way to see ME. Reached for me, a last hug before I left. Sigh…that girl is so special.
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