Aspens

I was just thinking about how so many of the women posting on this blog have a great story about the first time they met you. It seems like most of them involved you being intimidating. I love that idea: intimidate your cancerous mass all you can, scary lady!

Funny, I don't remember the first time I met you. It was probably 12 or 13 years ago in that big pink house on 3rd and Pearl when Melissa and I lived together and you came down for a visit. Did we have tacos at Tres Hermanas? Hmmm. Anyway, I don't particularly remember you as intimidating, but I do recall your lovely smile.

What I remember well is the day I really fell in love with you. It was on a hike outside Flagstaff. Must've been early fall. I remember that you and I fell behind the rest of the group, and we had a spirited conversation about, well, you remember. So much has changed since that day, in all of our lives. But I remember your fiery opinions, your fierce protectiveness and your no-bullshit attitude and those are still things I love about you. You are fiery and fierce, and kind and loyal. You do not tolerate bullshit easily, and that's a quality I think will serve you well throughout this experience.

If I had a photo of that day to post it would be a picture of you in patagonia stand ups, a yellow fleece pullover, and chacos. You'd be standing on a trail, surrounded by yellow aspens and high desert pines. The sun would be shining on your hair and glinting off your blue eyes. You'd be poised and confident, and you'd be just a little bit angry. That's the image I'm holding of you.

Love, Melis