In July of 2003, Nick left New Jersey for Virginia – at that point he had about 2 weeks to go home, and get ready to leave for college in Springfield, MO. It was the end of November before I saw him again, and it was the week of Thanksgiving when we talked about “the future” of our relationship. He visited again for New Year’s before heading back to MO for the Spring semester. The next time I saw him was for his Spring Break. He drove for 24 hours (straight through) to surprise me. I went to visit my parents and when my mom asked me to get something from the kitchen, there he stood, flowers in hand. (My loving and grateful first words, “What are you doing here?” Having talked to him on the phone just seconds before walking in my parent’s front door, I was too shocked to say anything else…) That is the first time I remember Nick bringing me flowers. I kept them on my dresser until the water had been completely soaked up, the flowers had dried out, and my roommate was repulsed that I had kept those dried up flowers for over a month (maybe over 2…).
When he transferred to VFCC the next year, he drove 2 hours nearly every weekend so we could see eachother. Often, when he walked in the door on Friday afternoon, he brought flowers. Always, he took time and care when picking them out – Nick has never been the type to grab just any pre-made bouquet and rush to the check-out. Because of this, they were always a beautiful reminder all week long of how sweet he was and how lucky I was.
Yesterday was Friday, and I am as lucky (as richly blessed) as ever:
