Meeting Michael

It's hard to explain to anyone who hasn't done "the chat thing" ... but when you chat with someone on a nearly daily basis for four years, you get to know them pretty well. And they know you, too. Because sometimes, its so easy to say things here. Maybe too easy. And things you might not tell a person face to face, you find yourself confessing in a chat, or on a blog.

The weather's been really nice lately, and its been way too long since I've had a vacation. (Loading a truck and driving west for 4 days, towing a car, is NOT my idea of a vacation!! but necessary). So, on the spur of the moment, I decide to rent a car and head for the west coast, needing to see the Pacific Ocean again. It's not a long drive, so I start out in the early morning, tunes on the radio, a cooler packed with a few fav treats - two Diet Cokes, 6 bottles of water, a bag of pretzels, and a PB sammich. Needless to say, when I mentioned that I was heading that direction, Michael was surprised, but pleasantly so, it seems. We talked about meeting for lunch, but couldn't decide on anywhere, so he gave directions to his house. OK, have to admit, there's just a tad bit of nervousness. I mean, there are times you meet someone from the 'net and they're not exactly what they appear. Or maybe it's the expectations you get in your own mind, because let's face it, we all interpret things differently from the written word.

As I cross into California, I can hardly believe that I'm heading this way. I've thought about it, had dreams about meeting him. Once, I dreamt we were both at a local craft fair, and we met at the 'food area' at the picnic tables. I knew it was him because he was wearing a bright yellow t-shirt with the black happy smile face on it (ie: Forrest Gump? lol ) But this is different. This is real. Oh my gosh, don't think about it, tune in to the songs playing on the radio. And keep driving.

Finally, I get to the signs to turn off the freeway system (they're terrible in LA!) and follow directions into the town, this way, that way, lefts and rights, OK, now I'm supposed to watch for a mailbox peeking out through the trees, and turn left. Ahhhh, there it is. (Yes, I talk to myself when I drive!) As I pull into the driveway, I have to stop here. I can't see the house, but I know its just on the other side of this curve. I take a deep breath. And another. Wipe my palms off. And feel a shiver from head to toe. My heart is beating - not a pounding beat, but more erratic. My mouth goes dry. I sip some water. Apply some lipstick. And put the car back into drive.

Driving slowly, up and around the bend, and I get a first look at the house. Funny. It's just how I pictured it; but then, Michael is very good with painting a picture with words. (He's also good at drawing pictures ... when we first chatted, he drew me from a photo I had sent... I still have it to this day!) I come to a stop about 30 feet from the front steps. And take another deep breath. This is the moment I've waited four long years for. I open the driver's door, step out of the car, and begin walking towards the front door. Time seems as if it's suspended in slow motion. And the front door opens, and there he is. Looking so handsome, just as I pictured him. And yet different. No, not different. Real. I can feel my smile growing on my face, my cheeks turning a pink blush. "Hey you, you made it!" he says. I grin even further and nod, words rolling in my head and nothing coming out my mouth. There's like a million and one things I want to say, and yet mere words wouldn't be enough. Our eyes lock on each others, drinking in the sight of someone who we know intimately, and yet we've only just met.

As I get closer to the steps, he walks down the steps and we meet at the bottom, his hand outstretched for mine. The moment our hands touch, there is a crackle in the air (or is that in my head?) and its as if every nerve inside me is hummming from the vibrations of his touch. After holding that pose for a few seconds (that seem like eternity), gazing into each other's eyes, no words seem necessary, and he pulls me in for a hug that's so delicious the world falls away, and no one exists but us two.

Sadly, that's when I wake up!

I have tried to "encourage" this dream to repeat itself, to continue even further.
With no luck.
One of these days, I'm hoping to make this dream a reality.
Wish me luck!