Nothing is certain

I've been somewhat reclusive over the past couple of months, mainly only going out if someone calls me versus making the effort to initiate anything. So, when my girlfriend Jamie called to go out last night... I had no real "excuse" so it was time to dust off the hair dryer and wipe the top layer of crust off my make-up. I think that fate had another hand in this timing, esp. in light of some of my recent blogs about relationships, for Jamie is getting married in June to Steve, the dude you see in the pic (they were on Kauai for this shot).

Now, maybe it's just me (and her) that laughs at the irony that a white girl from Hawaii winds up with a Vietnamese guy from Minnesota, but that's just the way it worked out. What I like about their story is that they are another example that there's no textbook way to find someone and make it work. Each person is different. Each couple has their own story.

Jamie and Steve met through EHarmony.com last March with her in Hawaii, and Jamie's profile said that she was willing to move, so it wasn't a huge issue with the geographic difference -- or at least, not to them. Through chatting, e-mails and numerous phone calls at least every other day, they developed a fast friendship and a mutual interest to explore the next level, so Steve booked a two-week trip to Hawaii in July. They met and realized the chemistry was no different in-person than via the other methods, and decided to get married by the end of those two weeks.

Holy crap, you say? Me too, but let's be honest, it is pretty cool that they are going out on that limb like that and are willing to take that risk. Oddly, they found out that they both thought to themselves, even prior to meeting, that "this is the person I think I'm going to marry" -- and even wierder, they discovered they both had this revelation on the EXACT same day. So, they are getting married in June here in Hawaii, and then Jamie will pack her bags and head for the frozen tundra of Minnesota (she grew up in Alaska, so not too much of a shock).

It's just nice to hear the "good" stories once in a while, instead of just ranting, so I wanted to share. Oddly, when I told my mom about Jamie/Steve, she said "you know, you should try that." Knowing how judgmental she can be about anything different from what Ms. Manners says is the right way to do anything, I asked "Why? You don't think it's wierd to do it online, long distance and for her to pick up and agree to move to be with him?" My mom's response just shocked me because, well, it actually made sense.

"Well, you tried it the traditional way the first time (I met my ex through friends) and it didn't work out, so who's to say you couldn't do something like Jamie?"

As hard as it is to admit, Mom may just have a point there, but I'm sure not going to tell her that:)