We aren't dating anymore.

We all have stories to tell, the sheer diversity of our world allows for very interestingexperiences, funny, romantic or tragic, all things that make people fascinating in their own special way. Here is our beginning, up until now, and as we add to our timeline we hope to share our tale of two people, two cities.

To mix it up, I will not start at the beginning. I am skipping ahead to 3 years and 9 months into our relationship. On my birthday this year, we had lunch at home (just the two of us) and after our usual after-lunch piece of dark chocolate ritual, he put two bags in front of me, with specific instructions which one to open first. Bag number one had jasmine pearl tea in it (my favourite) — bag number two, contained a teapot. I already have a few teapots — but I love my tea — and my first thought, which I vocalized was, oh how pretty, what’s the story behind it? (Every gift has a story with Béla) I was curious to see what the pattern was on the inside and as I lifted off the lid, instead of a seeping basket, there was a ring and I was stunned speechless, (I’m rarely speechless) This truly was a Béla planned moment, coming full circle from one of our first dates which took place at a tea house. A few moments passed, and Béla realizing he is supposed to ask a question (lol) asked half of one (thank god because I have massive anxiety when there is too much choice) “So… will you ?” I was still shaking from being so surprised, but the answer was yes :) Now, what exactly did I say yes too? That’s up for interpretation — yes to a life with a person who is my best friend, who can read me, gets me, and tolerates all my craziness? Or was it to a life where there will be adventures, many moments good and bad? The answer is all of the above. But above all — yes to socks — my feet are ALWAYS cold :P . Oh but wait — it would help to explain “just socks”….

The likelihood of our paths crossing again after a 20 year hiatus, were slim, but somehow the stars aligned magically and here we are, no longer dating but engaged. (Gasp - putting it in writing makes it look so official) We met in 1991 at a weekend scout camp in Fillmore NY then attended a 14 day survival camp the following year. Two decades passed, during which time, we went our separate ways, lived our lives, with ups, downs and all sorts of events in between. Facebook was invented, a great social networking tool to find lost friends all over the world, and like so many others, we reconnected. We started spending a lot of time talking online, having late nights, resulting in painful mornings, making coffee a necessity, but of course repeated the sequence again and again. The months passed, and we decided to meet up halfway in London, Ontario, and to go on our first date — a four day long first date. It was a seven hour drive for each of us, and that last hour, unbeknown to either of us, we had similar symptoms of sweaty palms and anxiety. What if all the talking was just what we were good at? What if there was no chemistry? All that was put to rest, as we exchanged a friendly hug — and instantaneously both felt some form of calming relief.

London has many charms, and nooks, a lot of history, little restaurants, pretty parks, with benches. We spent many hours talking on this one particular bench in Victoria Park with the light burnt out next to it, andwhen we revisited “our bench” two years later, that light was still burnt out. (Coincidence or not?) We toured London the next day, took many pictures, went to Eldon Tea House a gem of a place, complete with antique furniture, old tea cups, scones, and a rose garden to enjoy it in. We posted our first picture of us together, causing a massive stir amongst friends, who either did not know who I was or who he was, or were simply trying to piece together the distance complications/issues/rational of it all. We also explored Covent Market, did part of the Tree Trunk Tour, and ate at Aroma Mediterranean Restaurant (sadly closed in 2017)

A short drive away, is the enchanting town of Stratford, land of art, drama, theatre and culinary delights. We signed up for a culinary tour during which we sampled many delicious items such as huge grilled cheese made at their local COOP, followed by handmade chocolate, gazpacho, and tea…. Something magical happened in Stratford as we came out of Distinctly Tea store. Maybe it was the brew we tried, or the breeze that came from the river, whatever it was, when he took my hand as we followed out our tour guide — there was that moment — the moment you realize, we are no longer just on a culinary tour, stuffing ourselves — we are now officially an item. We finished off our “first official day” by attending a live performance of Fiddler on the Roof at the Festival Theatre.

Months later we returned to Stratford, and attended a food festival, that was hosted by the local culinary school, and there were also different vendors. One of them was selling Appalachian clothing — and — you guessed it — socks. Knowing that the winter months in the North are cold (Chicago is cold too !!) Béla bought us matching socks (there will be many — oh barf me moments of cuteness — we are not apologizing — deal with it people) and the lady asked where we were from. Now keep in mind, we were only dating a few months at this pointand when she heard the long-distant relationship she automatically asked “so which one of you is moving?” To which Béla very quickly replied — “Whoa…! It’s JUST socks!!!”

Still have them, still wear them ;)