I took a vacation day last Friday and visited friends from work during the long weekend.Huh. Ironic.
Thursday night, I drove to Long Beach Island to stay with one friend, who also had her (ex) sister-in-law (she was married to the sister-in-law's brother for 25 years before he lost his ever-lovin' mind and had an affair) and (ex) brother-in-law staying with her. Her house is a gorgeous six-bedroom guest and party house approximately 1.5 blocks from the beach. Sweeeeeeet!
The next day, we walked around LBI and they talked about their favorite restaurants, amusement park, miniature golf place, memories with their kids...and restaurants. (We are Italian-American. We like our food. )
We made it to the beach, and when her sister-in-law and brother-in-law went into the ocean for a dip, my friend explained to me they were childhood sweethearts. He loved her from the very moment he saw her, and even when she broke up with him during high school at one point and dated other guys, he never stopped loving her.
Ok, look. I've been somewhat cynical over the past few months, especially when conversation wanders to romance and relationships. But, for whatever reason, their story pulled at my heartstrings, and I got that warm and fuzzy feeling for the first time during the weekend.
I have to say, they were sweet to one another. She would get him plums - or anything else he wanted to eat (I envy his metabolism); he would wait for her patiently as she stopped at yard sale tables during our walk. The sister-in-law said to me at one point marriage is a crapshoot, and that she and her husband felt blessed to have the kind of relationship they have. Indeed. They seemed genuinely happy. How great is that?
I left LBI with a sunburnt tummy on Friday night, and then called my other friend who had been asking me to come visit him and his wife on their boat in Bayville, NJ since the beginning of the summer. I told him I would be there Saturday morning. I was thinking 11; he said "Great! See you at 9:30!"
Oy.
I managed to get up at 6am, shower and whimper as the water hit particularly sunburnt parts, and drive there with 10 minutes to spare. As he prepared the boat (which was an immaculate 32-ft Chris Craft - it looks similar to the picture here) his wife showed me to the facilities and happily told me about their dock. When all was ready, he and his wife worked as a team to steer out into the bay, read maps, and anchor the boat when they found an ideal spot.As I roasted on the front of the boat - you know, so I was pan-seared front and back - I caught glimpses of them cozying up together and looking at pictures on their digital camera. My friend likes to play it up and say sarcastic things about being married for 22 years and dating for 30, but it was clear they care for one another. Again, gave me the warm and fuzzies.
As I drove home that night, swearing to myself I didn't need that much 'color' ever again as I looked at my poor, red and burning skin, I thought about those two moments of kindness, friendship and love.
They gave me hope.
I wish that hope had come with common sense. I woke up this morning, my back sore from the section of it where I missed placing sunscreen, and my arms itchy as all get out.
Lessons learned here: True love and happiness is attainable. Sunscreen higher than SPF 4 will get you the tan you want and protect your skin at the same time. *whimper*
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