OK... here comes the long sappy response. And this is the longest post, by far, that I've ever seen. I'm just sort of a natural story teller so, be warned!
And a big congrats to you dear! I'm happy that your wish has come true!
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My story starts with a tragedy. A little over 2 years ago, my DH passed away very suddenly. Our very good friend "M" (a nickname) lost his wife three years prior and came to my aid through DH's brief illness and later passing. His late wife and My DH were very good friends and it only was natural that he and I would be good friends.
He came over every night so that he could sort of watch over me and just be there if I needed it. We spent most of our nights watching TV or movies and I made sure he was well fed after not having a lady to cook for him for so long. He'd always been a dear friend to me, going back nearly 8 years now. I cooked for him off and on after he'd lost his wife, just so that he'd have company. Although he never much felt lonely because he has so many loved ones, I felt good doing it.
After 4 months passed, I was starting to mourn a little deeper. I always seemed to know what I needed when I needed it. At this time, I decided it would be a good time to dispurse some of DH's ashes. I invited dear M to come along as I shouldn't travel alone to where I was going to scatter them and I shouldn't be alone doing something so emotionally distressing anyhow. Mind you, leading up to this time, I'd found myself looking as cute as I could when he was around. I'd look at myself in the mirror and ask myself what the hell I was doing. Was I THAT lonely for physical affection that I'd ruin a good friendship for it?
I was broke at the time and could only afford 1 hotel room. We got two beds, of course. I actually went to Victoria's Secret and bought a cute PJ set. Nothing racy, LOL. But terribly cute. And something that covered my body plenty.
After both of us finished sobbing hysterically at the ash scattering, we had a lovely weekend just spending time and talking. (A little off-roading always helps too, LOL)
A couple weeks later, we'd found us spending all our spare time together. I couldn't go a day without seeing him. I'd wait for his call every day. 3:30 sharp on my cell phone.
Then one night, I absolutely could not say goodnight. I could not let him leave. I wanted him to stay. So many late nights he'd been with me, I'd offered him the couch, no wanting him to drive that late. But he alway refused. Again, I offered him the couch. Again he refused. He stayed on a while longer, until 3:00 AM I think. I absolutely had to go to bed with work the next day. He said he'd stay until I fell asleep, sort of knowing that's what I needed.
We were best friends and we'd had a wonderful enchanted weekend together. We'd spent every day together. He was truly my best friend. So exauhsted, I climbed into my jammies... the same cute ones I bought a few weeks before. I came out to the living room and said good night. To which he said "I love you." I replied "I love you too."
I was so tired that I didn't fully comprehend the implications. The next morning, I got an email from him professing his love and apologizing for being so forward so soon. He suggested we spend time apart until I can better cope. I told him I wasn't scared away, I didn't want time apart, I just wanted him to be there as my best friend, always. Whether that meant things stayed as they were or changed later on, it wouldn't matter... Just as long as I always had him.
We met the next day and I told him that I would be fine as long as we stayed where we were in our friendship for a while, at least until I started coming out of my haze of mourning. He agreed that this would be the wiser course. 10 minutes later he kissed me.
Schmuck.
Fast forward 2 years. We're engaged and talking kids.
The end!