Thanks, guys. There are so many weird things that happened to get up together. She sold her house 20 minutes away on July 11, 9 days after I returned from Iraq, and moved back to the town where we both once lived. I joined a gym I had never gone to because D16 belonged to it, and I thought I would run there with her. Even though I corresponded with another woman in Iraq, that just never went everywhere. It was like dragging the Statue of Liberty around. I did all the pursuing, work, etc.
The new woman told me that when she heard I had returned from Iraq, she was first glad I was safe, and that she hoped we would somehow meet, although she didn't know how it would happen. She said she has been lonely for a long time, and has dated a few guys who weren't even tolerable, and stopped looking for anyone. Then on a Wednesday afternoon, I looked up from a bench at the gym, and there she was! My heart stopped. We talked for an hour. I left and said, "I'll see you again". She just looked at me and said "Yeah..." I thought about her for 18 months on active duty, thinking she was out of reach, but always being enamoured by her being pretty, smart, funny and irreverent, ALL THE QUALITIES I LOVE. She told me the same things about me!!!! (not the pretty part)
We went out and it was electric. She said she had been guarded for 8 years, afraid of being hurt again, but her heart just melted when we went out. She told me that 3 years ago when her ex-husband told her STBX and I were divorcing, she secretly said "YESSSSS!" I told her I have a lot of faults, but not being fiercely loyal and faithful, were NOT among them....the "Heart of a Soldier". Believe it or not, I do live the Army Values. We're going to a party together on Saturday, and we are taking a "sick day!!!!" on Monday. We both agree kids first. I'm ecstatic! Thanks for your encouragement. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for wishing me happiness. We ALL deserve it after being dragged behind the truck of a devasated marriage.
