Doug

OK, you've been reading my stuff for a while now, and I reference Doug.

Who is this elusive creature?

My man, of course.

He complained that he wasn't featured enough in this BLOG, and he's right, so I intend to rectify this glaring error right now.

Doug and I met almost 20 years ago (this fall). We were at a choral festival at Rock Island (Augustana College). I was with a group of friends and we were trying to figure out where a particular room was, and he walked by wearing a 3-piece suit. He looked serious enough, I thought he was a faculty member. I was brave enough to walk up to him and ask, "Can you tell me where room such-and-such is?"

He replied, "I don't know."

I countered with, "Well, don't you work here?"

He said, "No. I'm just here for the festival."

And that was the end of that...well, not quite. We met up again later, and chatted a bit more, then exchanged addresses and went our separate ways.

Over the next few years (high school, college) we wrote back and forth, and talked on the phone. Nothing came of it beyond friendship, but he was such a nice guy that I wasn't worried. We lost touch when I became engaged to my first husband, got back in touch briefly between my 1st and 2nd marriages, then lost touch again.

When my 2nd husband and I blew apart, I went home for my grandmother's funeral and was looking through a box of old letters I had received many years ago, and I found Doug's letters to me. His letters were so funny and gentle, and I thought to myself, "Why didn't I hook up with him before?"

I got back to Maryland, and started my quest for Doug. I found out that he was still in Illinois, living with his mom and working at Beer Nuts, and I finally got to talk to him after oh-so-many years. I am usually pragmatic about things, but when I started talking to him, it was like I heard a little voice (God, maybe? Or my cat?) say "This is the one. You need to know that." I melted.

Three months later, he came to visit me, and it was so natural how we just came together. Every day was just easy and happy, and it was hard to say goodbye. He came to visit again for Thanksgiving, and then again that spring, and finally he came for good in the summer of '03.

My life hasn't been easy even with him around, but I can honestly say I wouldn't change a thing. I love him very much.

He's a big guy...when he hugs me, I just feel like I'm protected from the slings and arrows of the world. He has beautiful blue eyes, a sweet smile, and a soothing voice. He's talented, funny and smart.

He's mine, I'm his, and this entry is for him.

Enjoy.

Sudiegirl