My Heart's Desire

We met, almost 5 years ago. We fell in love at a little race called The Chicago Marathon. Prior to that weekend we knew each other, but hadn't spent much time together. That weekend, we traveled together from our little town in IL with some friends and spent all weekend taking in the sights and sounds of the big race. On the drive home, we jumped into the back of the van and informed our friend that he would be driving home. We were soooo on the same wavelength. We spent the whole drive talking and sharing life stories. By the time we got home, I knew I had met someone really special and wanted to see him again. The following morning, he showed up at my house around 7 am. I had been sleeping and answered the door in my bathrobe. He had run over to my house to bring me a copy of the Chicago newspaper that had all the write up about the race. That's how he is... thoughtful. (We kissed that morning.)



The next year we had moved to AZ and were training to run the Chicago Marathon again that fall. It was my second attempt at running a marathon and actually following a training plan. And it was my first attempt at incorporating speedwork. I wasn't fast. He paced me through all my tempo runs that summer and fall. He never gave up on me... despite all my drama. I hated tempo runs. (I love them now, but I'm a different runner than I was 4 years ago). I would come up with every excuse in the book to not push myself. I faked asthma attacks. I cried. I screamed and yelled. He just continued to encourage me and never got down on me. But that's how he is.... patient.



My guy never really had a family of his own (he was mostly raised by his grandparents who have since passed). He says that I am his family, and I love that. He knows that I am close with my family and he supports that. He gets along great with my parents, and my mom adores him. (Dad too, he's just a little more reserved about announcing it). He doesn't judge us... he laughs at the melodrama that is our family. He allows himself to be dragged along on family vacations and holidays, and he fits right in. He allows himself to be talked into helping out around the house when my mom or dad needs something. He keeps company entertained. But that's how he is... easygoing and generous.



Lately I have been struggling with my bike training. Mostly I'm afraid. Sometimes I'm tired and hot. Last weekend I bailed on my long ride 2 hours early. I didn't have an excuse I just couldn't do it. Every minute of the 4 hours I rode was excruciating. The whole ride I kept thinking that I must be the hugest disappointment to him. Here he was stuck in the house, unable to train. And I was pussying out on my 6 hour ride. When I walked into the house (early) he asked if I was ok. 'Physically, yes. Mentally, no.' was my reply. I just couldn't summon up the motivation. 'Everyone has a bad day once in a while', he said. He proceeded to throw on some bike shorts and rode the mountain bike (with one arm) on the canal next to me during my 6 mile transition run. He told me stories to encourage me and help me to see that it wasn't the end of the world. But that's how he is... supportive.



He is my source of inspiration. He is slow to anger and gives love freely. He is my balance, my opposite. He is everything I could ever want in a partner in life. He is my heart's desire.