Snowdrifts tripped me. Gales whipped me. I reached the top of the hill and came to a realization as my boots hit an ice patch and I backstroked through the air down the backside decline: Despite all the great things the outdoors had done for my disposition, I was lonely.
Maybe the contrast of my brew-warmed guts to the freezing air, or the crisp smell of solitude only winter can bring catalyzed this epiphany. I didn't know. Up to this point, I'd deluded myself into believing I could be some kind of casual dating ascetic because most women I met seemed to be obsessed with material things--particularly green paper. I walked on, knowing I couldn't lie to myself anymore. I needed someone to spend my life with.
A month before, I went to a Misfits concert up in Fort Collins to see their 30th anniversary tour. For those of you, who haven't seen this horror-movie spoof band, its a great treat for the whole family (just watch out for flailing punks). A good friend of mine named Randy allowed me to use his apartment as a base of operations before the show. Randy was talking to his sister Loni on the phone as I walked in his door with moshing and distorted guitar madness on my mind. Oh, the night would smell like a gym locker before long. I eavesdropped on Randy's conversation as I sipped...Kool-aid from a glass on his counter. Loni said that she was tired of dating, so I offered my services. I'd met her a few months before, and known she was one of the smartest, most humble, loving people in the world. This was my one-time chance to redeem a fumbling life of lonely dating idiocy. She agreed to go on a date with me when she came home for Christmas. She lived in Michigan, and it was November, so we had to wait a while.
Shortly after my lonely realization on December 21st, Loni came to Castle Rock and invited me to her family's Christmas party so we could get to know each other. We did that, and then some. By New Year's Eve, shortly before Loni left back to Michigan, I pretty much knew that I'd slipped and slid into love with her. Over the next couple months, we talked on the phone and I visited once. We splashed (rather than slid) our way through spring with all the blooming life as a metaphor for our relationship. Don't worry folks. I'm not going to get real cheesy here. That would be a shame.
I helped Loni move to Castle Rock in May. She walks with me for miles, and we talk about everything. During this time, I've discovered that stepping outside will help your ticker in more ways than one. If you're in a relationship with someone, enjoying a stroll with them can enable you to spend quality time together while improving your health. From my experience, successful relationships are about communication. Walking allows Loni and I to speak intimately for minutes, if not hours.
Loni and I had been discussing marriage for a while during our walks. We knew we wanted something small, private, and quick without all the gaudy fairy tale garbage that usually comes with getting hitched. Last week, as we stepped from my apartment to her mother's house, we decided to sign our papers and exchange vows in a tiny ceremony on Thursday.
I walk hand-in-hand with Loni almost every day now. We keep our hearts strong, dedicated, and efficient while enjoying each other's company. We know things won't always be perfect and easy, but at least we have The Walking Blues to help us work things out.